Voila! Festival preview: I [Redacted] You

Writer-director-perfotmer Cassia Rose brings her show I [Redacted] You to Voila! Festival this month for two performances.

“Truth is… [yours]
Truth is… [mine]
Truth is… [loading…]

Welcome, and thank you for attending our presentation of this revolutionary software. Your new reliable companion, built to help you understand the world (and yourself) better.
Blending movement, poetry, comedy and maybe too much honesty, we’re proud to introduce: “O”.

I [Redacted] You looks at themes of connection, perception, honesty and trust. Can “O” assist us in discovering more about ourselves or each other? Can we believe what we learn? “O” is always happy to help so come and decide for yourself.”

Where: The Playground Theatre

When: 11-12 Nov

Ticket link: https://www.voilafestival.co.uk/events/i-redacted-you/

Cassia tells us more about the creation and evolution of the show.

Tell me about your show. Where did the idea come from?

My show originated as a performance response to my dissertation question where I was investigating AI voice and unreliable narration.

AI is a growing presence in the creative sector but I don’t think it’s clear yet exactly how it can be best utilised and what the future of AI and theatre looks like.

My show does not advocate for the use of AI within theatre, but it also doesn’t villainise this technology; instead I wanted to use it as a tool, treat it like a character, to better understand people and how we perceive each other, and the way we connect (or disconnect). 

While trying to sell you the latest AI product and demonstrate all of ‘O’s features, my characters wrestle with honesty as they begin to realise that ‘O’s version of truth doesn’t neccessarily align with their own.

Why should audiences choose your show? How would you sell it in one sentence?

Anyone who is invested in the unknown, or is curious about what AI means for theatre.

Anyone who has ever felt cut off or removed from those around them.

Anyone looking for answers but doesn’t want to look too closely in the mirror.

I [Redacted] You is a conversation that needs to be had.

What does being part of Voila! festival mean to you?

Voila! is an opportunity to take a step forward into the industry and make my first real statement as an artist.

It’s so exciting getting to shape what that will be, even more so knowing I’ll be surrounded by so many unique voices and creatives. 

Voila! is a place to reimagine what theatre can be, sharing new thoughts and ideas and coming together to celebrate the diverse stories out there and the different ways they can be shared.

It’s been a direction to work towards, an opportunity to share with a wider audience and focus my efforts on making as much of this opportunity as I can.

How did you make a start in the industry?

This is my start. Over the years, my training has taken me across Europe and I’ve developed an interest in what theatre looks like outside of the UK. 

I performed in Istropolitana festival 2025 in Slovakia but Voila! will be my first time performing my original work in a UK venue. 

What’s next for the show?

I would love to develop this show further, performing within other festivals, collaborating with spaces and organisations, and I hope to be able to R&D it with a wider group of people.

I feel like I’m only just scratching the surface of the conversation around AI, and I want to learn more from the audience’s response and further investigation to unlock what this story can be. There is so much more to discover.

There are so many ways of communicating through theatre; AI is the latest language we can use to understand an ever moving, ever changing world.