NCM is situated on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. We pay respects to them, especially their Elders and storytellers, as well as all First Peoples, nationwide. NCM acknowledges that communication technologies have a long history here, far longer than European occupation.

RoboThespian Performance

Programs & Events

RoboThespian, FRIEND 2025, NCM. Photo by Marie-Luise Skibbe

Ground Floor • 08 Jan 2026 - 30 Apr 2026, Thursdays & Sundays

Free with museum entry

Book museum tickets

RoboThespian lives to perform but these days his performances are rare and exclusive.

His repertoire is expansive, from Shakespeare soliloquies, to movie scene impersonations and vintage musical numbers.

See RoboThespian perform a special selection of pieces every Thursday and Sunday.

Performance times

  • Thursdays, 1pm–1.10pm
  • Sundays, 11am–11.10am

Free with museum entry. No bookings required.

Robot Performer

About RoboThespian

RoboThespian was created by United Kingdom company Engineered Arts in 2010 and restored by NCM Studio in 2025

Will Jackson, founder of Engineered Arts, created this robot to welcome people, perform and entertain in the early 2000s. RoboThespian has since done theatre, married a couple, spoken at countless corporate gigs and even been asked to work for the military.

Nearing 15 years old, NCM's RoboThespian is now retired. Powered by air and electric actuators, its limbs still move. Its eyes still sense and its mouth still sings, prompted by voice, touch screen or remote operator. But it needs a long rest in between to recover and function again.

It’s taken months of research to rebuild and power this animatronic model, while ensuring that its brain and body could remain static in time—keeping its mechanical engineering, computer vision, Al software and animation design like a time machine for future generations... with some caveats and questions. Like, how do you preserve machine ‘intelligence’ or replace obsolete parts, and why?

Venue Accessibility

  • This program includes standing with limited space and small stools are available if needed
  • NCM is fully wheelchair accessible
  • All gender and accessible toilets are available on both levels
  • NCM is a high sensory space with a variety of noise and lighting
  • If you have any other access needs please get in touch, we'd love to help hello@ncm.org.au

What else is on at NCM Summer?

NCM Summer

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