Devised by performer Molly Naylor, supported by real-life band The Middle Ones, and inspired by Japanese experiments with robots, My Robot Heart is a simple storytelling play. Beautifully engaging, it looks at love through three interlocking stories centred upon an impending wedding, with all of the characters multi-roled by Naylor herself with the help of a few props and some simple staging choices. Naylor, self-presenting with a cheeky smile, starts by telling the story of the story, outlining her own ‘real’ connection to the material. Drawn from two inspirations, an unexplainable breakup and an internet story about Kenji the robot who was programmed to love, our storyteller is investigating love in the best way she knows how, through storytelling.
The interlocking stories are woven together extremely well, flowing from character and situation easily, and always perfectly – sweetly punctuated by The Middle Ones’ folkish acoustic vocals and music. Each story takes us somewhere unique but is always connected to Naylor’s investigation of love, as each character encounters an individual dramatic crisis in their relationships with others. The performance particularly shines in the gorgeous touches of detail that come through the writing of character, often funny and well-observed: from agonising over the appropriate waiting time before leaving someone’s house after running over their dog, to recognising Viennetta is the perfect treat after avoiding a surprise camping trip. Naylor’s performance is exemplary, and it has to be for you to really engage with the stories. Though it’s said early on that The Middle Ones are not performers, they too perform and join in brilliantly, creating some of the funniest moments in the performance and underpinning the most touching ones with gentleness.
Naylor’s first solo show, Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You, debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010, but this is her first show working with The Middle Ones live, having used only their recorded work in previous performances. The Middle Ones, originally from Norwich, are now based in Bristol and Manchester and this is their first collaboration within theatre.
Having The Middle Ones on stage is a strong choice as their presence affords some welcome breaks in rhythm and moments of complicity that boost the energy for this extended monologue. A touching play, My Robot Heart isn’t based in fact but in love; it’s not a scientific investigation but love never is scientific, not really.