Roman & ELIZA

What if a deceased person could continue to exist digitally? Roman & E.L.I.Z.A. tells the true story of Roman Mazurenko, whose friends uploaded their WhatsApp conversations into a chatbot following his death. While they find comfort in his digital presence, his family struggles with this specter. This visually engaging musical performance explores the impact of AI on grief and memory. In collaboration with Utrecht University and IDLab, it creates an innovative and thought-provoking theatrical experience—emotionally touching, confrontational, and sometimes surprisingly light-hearted. Can technology bring a loved one back? What if a deepfake version of a deceased person continues to address us? Roman & E.L.I.Z.A. brings the poignant true story of Roman Mazurenko to life. After his death, his friends upload their WhatsApp conversations into a chatbot, allowing Roman to exist digitally. While they find solace in these virtual dialogues, his family grapples with this digital specter. Inspired by the first chatbot ELIZA and the rise of griefbots and death-tech, Ulrike Quade investigates how AI transforms our grieving process. Can we truly find solace in AI-generated memories? How does technology shape our way of saying goodbye? With a blend of theater, technology, and personal stories, in collaboration with Utrecht University and IDLab, an innovative and multi-layered theatrical experience emerges. Roman & E.L.I.Z.A. touches the heart, provokes thought, and occasionally offers surprisingly light moments—the quest for death can even evoke a smile.