Distant Memories Of The Near Future

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 | Summerhall Red Lecture Theatre | 2nd - 27th August | 5:45pm

Distant Memories of the Near Future is a play about love. And artificial intelligence.

In a world-first, this hour-long piece will feature a pre-recorded AI character interacting with a human performer. This is science-fiction storytelling, with six overlapping narratives telling a cynical yet heartfelt story of a world 'solved' by algorithms. Exploring our relationships with technology, creativity and ourselves, it ultimately asks, are these conundrums of life ever really solvable?

  • ★★★★★

    "...gorgeous, lyrical script imbued with empathetic wit... an exquisite exploration of the relationship between humanity and technology with a big dash of capitalistic doom..."

    Broadway World

  • “Distant Memories of the Near Future is a beautifully crafted, gently satirical and scarily believable vision of the future, delivered with charm and insight.”

    The Arts Desk

  • ★★★★★

    “A singluar vision of terrifyingly universal paranoia stuffed full of emotional catharsis, the result is a properly unique, underseen gem and an impeccable lesson in storytelling. Distant Memories of the Near Future is exactly what the Fringe was made for. Go, go, go!

    WhyNow

  • “This is witty, rigorous work. For all its investion this is a very subtle and tender piece of theatre. David Head is a superb storyteller, with a handsome dose of satire…”

    Theatre Travels

  • ★★★★

    “Beautifully crafted show reveals how human connection trumps AI… one of the most thoughtful and well-crafted shows you will see this Fringe.”

    The Wee Review

  • “Deeply poignant”

    The Scotsman

  • ★★★★

    “This show is a tonic for existentialism… mesmerising and wondrous… a quiet cacophony of storytelling.”

    Henry Longstaff

    (Pick Of The Fringe)

  • “Head is a charismatic and quietly authoritative storyteller.”

    Bouqets and Brickbats

Meet the Creative Team

David Head, a bald white man with a dark beard. He stands agaist a purple background, laughing directly into the camera, head and torso visible. He is wearing a purple boiler suit and black t-shirt underneath.

  • Writer/Performer

    David Head is a writer and comedian, best known for his collaborations with musician Matt Glover. Their story and song shows A Good Service on All Other Lines and Unwanted Objects both debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe (2018 and 2022 respectively) to critical praise and very warm audience responses. David is also an award-winning copywriter in the advertising industry, most recently winning Campaign Magazine's "Best Creative Idea for a New Brand" in 2022. This expertise lends itself to the world-building of this show – where adverts play a pivotal role in exploring the setting. He was a semi-finalist for both Chortle Student Comedian of the Year and So You Think You’re Funny? and is an alumnus of perennial sketch troupe The Durham Revue. David’s first play won the award for Best New Writing at the Durham Drama Festival before transferring to London.

Laura Killeen, a white woman with a light brown bob, sits smiling into the camera against a red mottled background. Her head and torso are visible and she is wearing a multicoloured striped rollneck top and silver hoop earrings.

  • Director

    Laura Killeen is a director and theatremaker. Her directing credits include Godot Is A Woman at The Pleasance Theatre (part of Edinburgh Fringe 2022) and work at The White Bear Theatre, Camden People's Theatre and Bloomsbury Festival. In 2023, she is directing pieces at Brighton Fringe and Theatre Peckham and a project in NYC. She is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, NYC, where she was awarded the Anne Meacham Memorial Scholarship. Laura received an MA with Distinction in Text & Performance from RADA & Birkbeck, University of London. In New York, Laura spent a year interning and working at The Juilliard School Drama Division under Founding Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, Jim Houghton. She has been the Artistic Director of The Rosemary Branch Theatre since 2021.

Audience Reviews of

Distant Memories Of The Near Future

  • "Innovative and engaging. Well done!"

    Connie Marie Gaglio

  • “Enjoyed this hugely. A combination of story telling + multimedia and a bit of puppetry. The theme - how to deal with being alone in a world of AI : algorithms and avatars. We all recognise the future presented here.”

    David Boyd

  • “Brilliant, really enjoyed it!”

    Phil Davies

  • “Oh my! this was a little too close for comfort. It's imaginative writing beautifully acted by David Head and thinking about it afterwards I was quite terrified! An excellent insight into what "alone" actually means in a world where AI is becoming increasingly prevalent.”

    Charlotte Walker

  • "An engaging and disturbing view of a potential future."

    Brian