Review: MERE MORTALS at Sadler’s Wells

The mythological, Greek titan-god Prometheus creates humans by shaping them from clay and breathing life into them. Later, he defies the gods by stealing heavenly fire from them to give to humanity, enabling humans to survive on their own. Pandora is the first mortal woman created by the Greek gods and, out of vengeance for Prometheus’ disobedience, Zeus, king of the gods, gifts her a jar. Although she has explicit instructions not to open the jar, she does so anyway, unleashing vices, evils and miseries into the world, unable to take them back. The only thing that remains trapped inside the jar is hope.

In Mere Mortals, Pandora’s Jar has been modernised, with the dangers to the world now represented by current technology and artificial intelligence. It deals with the ethics and philosophy of widespread access to such technology and asks questions about how humanity can navigate a world where this technology becomes increasingly present in our everyday and perhaps even extends beyond our control.

The principal characters Prometheus (Joseph Walsh), Pandora (Jennifer Stahl), Epimetheus (Harrison James) and Hope (Wei Wang) were outstanding, both in their dancing and their acting. The pas de deux between Pandora and Epimetheus was especially beautiful to watch and was a tender juxtaposition to the powerful movement in Prometheus’ scenes.

The mixing of modernity with classicism is threaded throughout all elements of the performance. Firstly by taking classical ballet and adding modern movement, futuristic costumes and bright and vibrant lighting displays. The music composition (Floating Points) tied the story together. The harsh contrast between the orchestra and the repeated static, clanging and beeping that we associate with technology reinforced the main message about humans versus machinery. Both elements come together to create the soundtrack to Mere Mortals, but the audience are still able to distinguish one from the other.

This story of Pandora’s Jar is reimagined in the modern age with real-world issues at the heart of the performance. What Prometheus gives and teaches to humanity, the machine takes for itself, mimicking humans to the point where it moves and behaves in the same way. Hope becomes lost within the technology, falling into the ensemble and unable to determine a way out.

Mere Mortals is a must-watch for anyone looking for thought-provoking, political performances. It’s an impactful and incredibly relevant piece of art that leaves you wondering about the future and questioning where we draw the line between human and machine.