Version 2.0
February 20th – March 3rd, Leicester Square Theatre
In new play Version 2.0, issues of female consent and robotics are thrown together in this timely new piece challenging the superficiality of modern society, opening at the Leicester Square Theatre in February 2018, directed by Kevin Michael Reed.
“a moving display of superb acting” A Younger Theatre on Kevin Michael Reed’s Shadows
Kash, a playwright, is obsessively in love with his childhood friend Karen. Kash silently expresses his love for Karen by writing plays for her and she returns his admiration by acting in them. Their enduring friendship falls apart when Karen rejects Kash, infuriating him to such an extent that he refuses to see her again. After the rejection, he isolates himself from everyone and gradually falls into a depression.
A robotic society offers Kash an opportunity to live with a humanoid companion, and in return that society wants him to introduce their robots to the world via the means of theatre. Kash accepts the invitation and creates a robot that looks exactly like Karen. He prepares a new show with the humanoid look-alike of Karen and presents her in front of a live audience.
Exploring the effect of social media culture on real human relationships, and asking whether a robot replace a true human and face to face relationships. Version 2.0 comments on and highlights the effects of social media on the nature of relationships.
Director Kevin Michael Reed says “We seem to think we know people just by being “friends” with them on Facebook, but those idealized worlds presented are not truth. When placed in the wrong hands, those worlds are dangerous.”
Reed is an award-winning, internationally published fashion photographer, producer and director from New York City, currently living in London. He is the founder and president of Squire Lane Endeavors and its subsidiaries Squire Lane Films and Squire Lane Theatrical. He produced the critically acclaimed productions of Reese Thompson’s WHORE: A Kid’s Play and Joy Donze: 13 & Not Pregnant at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Shadows in London in 2017.