BAD MACHINE

2022

Performance, Theatre

Artist/s:

Playwright: Brooke Robinson 
Director: Lily Balatincz 
Cast: 
Oliver/Ensemble: Rob Johnson
Eve/Ensemble: Abbie-lee Lewis
May/Ensemble: Gail Knight
Theo/Ensemble: George Spartels
Max’s voice: Damon Herriman
Sound Designer: Robbie Balatincz
Composers: Robbie Balatincz and Kirin J Callinan
Lighting and Video Designer: Aron Murray 
Set/Costume Designer: Emma White 
Directing Mentor: Imara Savage 
Audio Consultant: Peter Lenaerts
Stage Manager: Victoria Lewis 
Assistant Stage Manager: Cindy Cavero 

bad machine prompts audiences to interrogate the idea of culpability, the standards to which we hold our leaders and what is at stake when we forgo compassion.  

bad machine is a powerful and provocative new play exploring the Robodebt crisis and its impact on vulnerable Australians in Western Sydney and beyond. Orchestrated by the Australian Federal Government, Robodebt saw some of the most vulnerable members of society targeted using artificial intelligence through an automated audit system with devastating results. Described as “extortion” by the longest-serving member of Australia’s government review tribunal*, the program issued over 400,000 computer-generated debt notices demanding payment from Centrelink users, many of whom did not owe the government money. Notices issued by debt-collectors and letters from the Australian Federal Police included threats of jail if payments were not honoured.   

bad machine humanises this disturbing initiative and is a representation of the voiceless masses affected through the lens of four people, starring Rob Johnson, Abbie-lee, George Spartels and Gail Knight. Born and raised in Western Sydney, playwright Brooke Robinson and director Lily Balatincz are proud to be presenting the first performance work to explore this social welfare crisis, holding a black mirror to this dark chapter in our recent political history and confronting audiences with the far-reaching consequences of this national tragedy. 

'bad machine' was commissioned by Campbelltown Arts Centre and co-presented by Campbelltown Arts Centre and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.