The head of this 12 inch LCD screen puppet, COMPUTER BOY, is life size, reminding us of the games addicted generation of 13 to 19 years olds, straddling the real and virtual worlds. This provocative piece was inspired by a real life death of a games obsessed Canadian teenager, who died after his parents confiscated his X-Box.

The mundane home environment contrasts with his mother recalling, “Yes I took his play station away,” as she narrates through the interactions of the family, with machinima in the background, animation’s of popular, Grand thief auto, Call of duty and moving into the confronting streetwalker gear she pulls on, highlight the killing and destruction seen by kids in these games.

Blood Policy and Apids have unlocked the anxiety of many parents with this engaging use of puppetry, original music score, made from sounds of video games by DJ Trip and powerful performances by all cast members: Sam Routledge, Willoh S Weiland and Martyn Coutts.

COMPUTER BOY played the Performance Space, Carriageworks between the 23rd and the 26th May, 2012.

© Jill Berryman

28th May, 2012

Sydney Theatre Reviews- COMPUTER BOY, Performance Space at Carriageworks, Sydney Arts Guide, Jill Berryman