Daniel Bye: Imaginary Friends
After a personal tragedy, a failing comedian starts listening to the wrong voices in his head. Has his moral compass become completely derailed? Award-winning Daniel Bye presents his first solo show for seven years.
£15
The McCarthy
1h 35m (including an interval)
About
After a personal tragedy, a struggling TV comedian starts listening to the wrong voices in his head. In the noisy world of 24/7 content vomit, it was already hard to tell good from bad – or real from imaginary. Now it has become impossible.
He embarks on a series of pranks for his TV show. Ethically dubious and often dangerous, they are rocket fuel for his falling ratings. As he loses ever more contact with reality, the stakes in the real world become dizzyingly high.
Imaginary Friends is a new solo play by Daniel Bye. It is a satire on satire, a comedy about comedy. It asks who we should listen to, and who we really are, in an AI-generated world where the real me is whichever gets most likes. Like all Bye’s work Imaginary Friends is funny – up to a point. Beyond that point it is strange, disturbing, surreal and sad. And then it’s funny again.
Daniel Bye is one of the UK’s leading creators of head-spinningly original work for theatre. His work has won multiple awards and toured around the world. This is his first new solo show for seven years. Don’t miss it.
Praise for Daniel Bye's previous shows:
“Bye is an exceptional storyteller” – Exeunt Theatre Magazine
“Funny, wise, impeccably performed. […] Bye is one of the most astute and thoughtful contemporary theatremakers around.” ★★★★ The Stage
“Fascinating, terrifying and thought-provoking” ★★★★ The Guardian
“Captivating and illuminating” ★★★★ The Independent
“Unforgettable. Beautifully written.” ★★★★ The Scotsman
“Riveting, funny and thoughtful” ★★★★ The Guardian
Suitable for ages 12+
Credits
Written and performed by Daniel Bye
Lighting design by Katharine Williams
Sound design by Ziad Jabero
Produced by ARC, Daniel Bye and Alphabetti Theatre
Dates
FAQ's
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