Jess and Morgs' new dance piece 'Deepfake' explores deepfake politics

New Production Explores Deepfakes

Award-winning dance duo Jessica Wright and Morgann Runacre-Temple, known as Jess and Morgs, have created a new piece titled 'Deepfake'. The production delves into the political ramifications of deepfake technology and the challenges of discerning truth in contemporary media. The show is set in a green-screen studio, depicting an interview between a journalist and a politician.

Technological Storytelling

Jess and Morgs are known for integrating ambitious technology, such as film and live camera work, into their performances. Their previous work, 'Coppélia' for Scottish Ballet in 2022, reimagined a 19th-century ballet to address themes of AI automatons and unchecked technological development. They also recently debuted at the Paris Opera Ballet.

Inspiration and Theatricality

For 'Deepfake', Jess and Morgs, along with writer Jeff James, drew inspiration from various television interviews, including Jeremy Paxman's 1997 interview with Michael Howard and Prince Andrew's appearance on Newsnight. They also considered the evasive communication styles of modern politicians. The creators view the television interview format as inherently theatrical, making it suitable for a stage production that engages the audience with its dramatic elements.

Live Fabrication of Images

The performance incorporates four live cameras that film the interview. Audiences will see both the live action and an edited version on screen, which includes background footage. This setup aims to reveal the process of image fabrication and present multiple potential realities. Seven dancers in green-screen suits also interact with and manipulate the environment.