Enter the magical world of wizadry meticulously and cleverly created by Charlie Caper and you will be swept away for an hour of pure joy, amazement and whimsy.
The audience was greeted by Charlie in a nutty professor persona, chatting away, welcoming everyone as he moved around the stage full of intriguing props and robots. We were already smiling and full of anticipation before we had even sat down.
This warm and welcoming feeling continued throughout the show as Charlie spoke to us in a personal way and introduced his robots. It took him 7 years to design and create these amazing machines. I can’t imagine how long it would have taken and how much time and effort required, to then weave them into a show, rehearse and perfect it. When Charlie said that he once spent 4 months on an island trying to conquer the Rubik’s Cube puzzle, I don’t think he was exaggerating. He loves puzzles, he loves engineering and his passion and attention to detail are apparent.
Charlie’s robots are incredibly sophisticated and yet he uses so much humour and storytelling to bring the robots to life, that we aren’t overwhelmed by the engineering feats, nor taken on a “nerd journey”; we are entertained throughout.
Now about this magic! Charlie Caper’s sleight of hand is astonishing. He dazzles with aplomb and skill. He lures us in and bewitches us. Charlie varies the pace and style of his magic, sometimes building a crescendo to a climatic moment, other times wowing us with quick fire tricks that leave us in stunned silence.
Charlie’s AI (artifical intelligence) robots and his advanced technology provide jaw dropping moments. His robots have personality and soul and are co-actors and performers. They evoke emotion and empathy from us. And this is where Charlie begins his more serious message about artificial intelligence, how it is currently part of our lives and where this could lead us in the not so distant future. It is a very real, social message that we need to hear before it is too late.
Charlie has recently won the Weekly Cabaret Award at Fringe World, has had rave reviews everywhere and has also won Sweden’s Got Talent and it is easy to see why. This sci-fi magical adventure will amaze, delight, inform you and keep you thinking about it for a long time afterwards.
Robotricks is on until March 17, 2019 at
Masonic – Owl Room at Gluttony – Masonic Lodge, 254 North Tce, Adelaide
Purchase tickets here:
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/charlie-caper-robotricks-af2019
