EXPERIMENT HUMAN” by Hooky Productions, the sisters Rosa Thomas and Maya Hallpike

12/12/2024

Fusion Arts hosted an Edinburg Fringe Preview performance of "Experiment Human," an interactive, dark comedy by the award-winning local theatre company, Hooky Productions, created by sisters Rosa and Maya Hallpike. Known for their unique blend of dark humour and surreal storytelling, Rosa and Maya have been developing their craft since childhood.

About Experiment Human:

Monkion, a non-human creature, has spent too long isolated in an attic, obsessed with Benedict Cumberbatch and devoid of human contact... until now. This darkly comedic tale follows Monkion's attempt to understand the bizarre human world. After kidnapping Benedict Cumberbatch to shield him from the media, Monkion realizes he's ill-equipped to meet the actor's needs.

OFFIE winner, 2024. Innovation Award – VAULT Festival nominee, 2023. Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence, 2022. ‘One of the most unique and unusual stories being told on stage’ (LostInTheatreland.co.uk) ‘Physically masterful, witty and simply fascinating’ (FringeReview.co.uk)

Hear a little more from Rosa and Maya here!

About Hooky Productions

Their journey began in the summer of 2019 with their debut sketch comedy show "Sis!" which premiered at Fusion Arts and later dazzled audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Described as "utterly ridiculous and utterly fantastic" by Edfringe Review, "Sis!" marked the start of their successful career.

Following this, they developed the character 'Monkion' and the show "Experiment Human," which earned them the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence in 2022. Their innovative work continued with "There's a Monkion in Your Attic," which toured London, Iceland, Durham, and Edinburgh in 2023.

The sisters' creative prowess was further recognised with an OffWestEnd Award/OFFIE in 2024 and Keep It Fringe Funding, enabling them to bring the enhanced version of "Experiment Human" to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

"This show wouldn’t have been created without the support and mentorship of Fusion Arts. Fusion was the very first place we performed, and so it’s amazing to come full circle and take 'Experiment Human' back to where our journey began." - Rosa Hallpike

Discover more about Hooky Productions and their captivating work.

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