Absolute Objectivity | Backbone
A pop culture fairytale for the internet age, Sampson Smith’s new musical comedy Absolute Objectivity has finally downloaded its way into Backbone Youth Arts. Takes us on a journey to the world elections in the year 2054 where - since the mysterious disappearance of left-wing messiah Turny Banders - the CEO of the world’s largest, and only, corporation ‘Dooglecorp’ has run unopposed as World President for two decades. This journey is filled with rap battles, emotional ballads, sexy times and the most glamorous of costumes.
Image credit + cover image: Morgan Roberts
Stephen Quinn’s set design was immaculate; its bland colour scheme reflecting how the characters were trapped in their computer screens. I loved Sampson Smith’s direction of having the characters use the entirety of the set and all of its nooks and crannies and their use of AV design to support the transitions in the plot.
I won’t deny that I found the plot hard to follow at the most of times as well as to figure out what style the show was going for. However, I did quite enjoy a number of the characters and, as goes without saying, the actors playing those characters.
Siobhan Gibbs was sexastional as the physical embodiment of 5G, Bianca Zouppas was such a diva as Pickles/Turny Banders and boy does that girl have pipes and Sellma Soul was the sassy, sexual villain that I didn’t know I needed in my life. I just wish they would’ve given more time for the audience to react to their witty one lines as more than once I missed the lines following as I was too busy cackling on the couch where I was seated.
Image credit: Morgan Roberts
As can be expected from an early work of a youth troupe, there was a range of levels of experience on the stage. This was a strong offering for a newly hatched production, and the usual jitters that will no doubt be ironed out and improved upon across their season, as the freshest performers find their feet.
Image credit: Morgan Roberts
Should you go and see it? Yes, because the music is such a fun time and you’ll be bopping in your seats and the supporting cast members kill it on stage. Yes, the script may need a bit of work and fleshing out, but I think the concept is brilliant and I can’t wait to see it after future iterations.
