Marjorie Prime review – gently uncanny sci-fi shows us how to love an AI

Menier Chocolate Factory, London
Anne Reid shines in this delicately written drama about a woman with dementia living with a robot re-creation of her late husband as a young man

Jordan Harrison's gently uncanny play imagines a future solution for a person in mourning: the recreation of someone you love as an artificial intelligence.

In the early stages of dementia, Marjorie (a shining Anne Reid) finds comfort in Walter Prime, an AI version of her dead husband. Richard Fleeshman offers a pristine performance as Walter, whom Marjorie has chosen to have re-created as his handsome, 30-year-old self. There is a delightfully unearthly edge to Fleeshman's gait and smile, but as Walter reminds Marjorie of joyful days they spent together, there is also genuine warmth between them. She knows he's not real but he offers her time, attention and memories in ways that the other people around her struggle to.