Androida (or Robots have no Feelings)

Music & Words: Jacques Cohen

“Androida” or “Robots have no Feelings” is on the one hand a brand new sci-fi story responding to the AI discourse. But it is also a new take on the tragedy of unrequited love.

The Cohen Ensemble plays a new, complete and original score to accompany soprano Sian Sulke and evoke a unique, futuristic sound-scape.

A fembot called Androida is hired to help the recently bereaved Martin with household chores and looking after his two children. Androida prides herself on her immense competence and the fact that whilst she can give the children all the care and love they need, her impeccable efficiency is never impeded by the flaw of experiencing human feelings herself.

However, it gradually becomes apparent to the audience that she has been endowed with human emotions after all.

The eventual announcement of Martin's engagement to the superficial Marika finally pushes Androida into acknowledging to herself that she loves him. Unable to bear the crushing despair, she seeks out her creator who reluctantly agrees to uninstall her emotions on the understanding that it may effect her memory and that such a step is irrevocable.

In the final scene we see Androida, as we had at the beginning, getting on with the chores. Martin reveals that he cannot marry Marika since he loves Androida but she simply replies that “Robots have no feelings”.

https://www.tete-a-tete.org.uk/event/androida-or-robots-have-no-feelings/

Thursday 17 September - 8:45pm