A groundbreaking fusion of dance, opera, and artificial intelligence on show at the Baxter Theatre this March by Cape-based Darkroom Contemporary
autoplay, Africa’s first AI-generated opera, is set to disrupt traditional performance art with a bold and immersive production that blends choreography, generative soundscapes and machine learning when it takes over the Flipside at the Baxter Theatre from 26 to 29 March 2025. This new work by acclaimed choreographer and director Louise Coetzer interrogates the intersection between identity, autonomy and the digital landscapes that define modern existence.
Presented by the multi-award-winning Darkroom Contemporary, who celebrate their 15th anniversary this year, autoplay is an experiential convergence of dance theatre, live art, and polyrhythmic opera. It explores the intricate relationship between humanity and technology, challenging audiences to reconsider agency and free will in an era where digital algorithms shape daily life.
What sets autoplay apart is its fluidity: no two performances will be the same. Generative AI processes create unique musical compositions in real time, while audience interaction influences the evolving narrative, culminating in an experience that is both unpredictable and deeply personal. The result? A thrilling, surreal encounter between human expression and machine intelligence.
Featuring live, original music by Brydon Bolton (Benguela), vocalist Inge Beckmann (Lark, Beast), and Njabulo Phungula, the score combines organic and manufactured soundscapes, fusing digital and analogue processing, which invite the audience into this surreal game, while experimenting with the viewers’ perception.
Gabrielle Fairhead, Vuyelwa Phota, Darion Adams and Bronwyn Craddock in autoplay (Photo: Oscar O’Ryan)
Choreography, direction and set design are by Louise Coetzer.
Due to be performed by the accomplished cast of Louisa Talbot, Darion Adams, Lwazi Mzimase, and Tamsyn Pretorius, autoplay uses absurdity and satire to question the passive acceptance of our dystopian present. It juxtaposes traditional and contemporary symbols of learning, reimagining how we navigate a brave new world shaped by artificial intelligence.
“As AI becomes an integral part of our professional and personal lives, autoplay asks vital questions: Who is truly in control? How do we distinguish between influence and autonomy? The performance doesn’t just present these questions – it invites the audience to participate in finding the answers,” says Coetzer.
autoplay originally premiered in September 2024 at a uniquely transformed site in Cape Town, but this will be the first time it will be performed in a theatre setting. It promises to be a landmark production, pushing the boundaries of performance art while offering a profound meditation on the future of human-machine collaboration.
To augment the stage performances, a special seminar will be presented by Louise Coetzer, along with the cast and creative team. Here, viewers can gain further insights into the making of autoplay, and its use of AI systems as creative partners. The seminar takes place at the Little Theatre on UCT’s Hiddingh Campus, on 10 March from 10:00 to 12:00. Entry is free, but booking is essential.
Please contact robyn@darkroomcontemporary.com to make a booking.
autoplay event details:
Venue: Baxter Theatre Flipside, Rondebosch
Dates: 26 – 29 March 2025
Times: 19:30 and one matinee at 14:00 on Saturday 29 March 2025
Performance running time: 75 minutes (no interval)
Age restriction: No under 13s
Ticket Costs: R240 – R270 per person per performance at Webtickets