Trackers, by Donna Hughes
The RBC Ensemble
TICKETS: Trackers, by Donna Hughes | Adelaide Fringe
Seldom does the Adelaide Fringe feature an entrant from a
secondary school, yet the Riverbanks College Ensemble has done just that. RBC
Ensemble is a student-led theatre company comprising students from Years 7 to
12 at Riverbanks College in Angle Vale. In a uniquely collaborative model,
students lead every aspect of production—both creative and technical—while
teachers volunteer their time to provide mentorship and work alongside them.
Their 2026 Adelaide Fringe production, Trackers by
Donna Hughes, is an ambitious and timely choice. First published in 2024, the
play earned an AWGIE Award from the Australian Writers’ Guild and was
shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Book Awards in the Young Adult category. With
its exploration of artificial intelligence, surveillance, and information
control, Trackers is an ideal vehicle for young performers to
engage with thought-provoking ideas relevant to their generation.
Gifted coder Sam Turing has broken the rules—and for that,
the Algorithm decides he must be relocated to a new school. High school is hard
enough without being labelled a threat to the system. In the not-so-distant
future of Hughes’ world, society is divided into Zones under the watchful eye
of the Algorithm. Your friends, preferences, and even your future are chosen
for you. Sam finds himself at C-Zone High, the final step in the Algorithm’s
grand plan for society: Alignment. But something sinister lurks within the
school—students become brainwashed, teachers seem untrustworthy, and every wall
feels alive. To survive, and maybe subvert the system, Sam must find true
connection beyond a screen.
As Sam Turing, Shaylee delivers a believable and grounded
performance, effectively capturing both the character’s vulnerability and quiet
defiance. Her opening interaction with Sigrid, the new Siri, was engaging and
well-paced, voiced by Elaina (also Grenerger) as the clear, commanding voice
behind the device along with the multiple CIs that punctuated the scene.
Upon transferring to C-Zone, Sam meets Toby, Max, and
Mixie—played by Brianna O, Evie, and Bella respectively. This group forms a
dynamic and entertaining ensemble, their chemistry driving many of the
production’s best moments. Without giving too much away, a later sequence
reminiscent of a spy film or Scooby-Doo-style code-breaking montage stands out
as one of the show’s highlights—cleverly choreographed and wonderfully
performed.
Technically, the production demonstrated remarkable
ambition. Scene changes were smoothly choreographed and executed by the cast, and
though an occasional brake went awry, transitions remained fluid. The use of UV
light to illuminate costumes and accessories added a striking futuristic
aesthetic. At times, the sound balance overwhelmed the performers’ voices,
particularly for those not seated in the front half of the audience.
Notably impressive was the digital design—integrating
computer screens into the set and incorporating multimedia elements throughout
the production. While visual cues occasionally raced ahead of the dialogue,
making synchronisation tricky, the ambition behind this integration shows a
deep creative investment and a commendable understanding of modern theatrical
storytelling.
Now in only their second year as an ensemble, Riverbanks
College students have again proven themselves capable of producing work that is
brave, imaginative, and socially relevant. Their dedication is clear in every
detail of Trackers, and it’s exciting to imagine where their
creativity will take them next.
- Andrew Broadbent
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