Are you sick of dating? Ever thought you’d be better off dating something that is reliable, sturdy, tall – a ladder perhaps? Or something that is helpful around the house like the fridge keeping all your perishables cold? Or thought the Sydney Opera House is so sexy and irresistible and you have a connection with the famous land mark?
Well you wouldn’t be alone, because falling in love or being sexually attracted to an inanimate object is called Objectum Sexuality. Melbourne based actress and comedian Nicolette Minster explores the possible consequences of giving up human love for her security blanket “blue blankie” in her one woman show Inanimately at the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Making her home in a tiny room upstairs at the Lithuanian club in North Melbourne for the next few weeks, Minster serenades the audience with her own versions of various songs including ‘Castle on a Cloud’ from Les Miserables. Though the show is labeled a cabaret, it’s really a comedy with a couple of songs thrown in. The minimal space allows Minster and the audience to intimately interact with each other, and while this can be harrowing for some, don’t fret – this is just her way of showcasing her unique party tricks. Minster’s humour is also slightly crass but only one joke about autism is particularly controversial and potentially offensive. As a reviewer, I did have a moment of regret for laughing.
Minster talks with such a casual nature, portraying the concept of objectum sexuality as something normal and not weird at all. It’s a rather good idea in fact, and as Minster says, it’s either that or become a crazy cat lady who thinks all the problems in the world can be fixed with “blankets and cats”.
The mood is a mix of brothel and comic lounge, set by minimal backing music. There are also four lights set up in the room, changing colour from blue to red and pink, with the fridge light occasionally being the only thing to illuminate the space.
Minsters use of props is also really well done. Props are used to break up segments of monologue whilst simultaneously progressing the over arching story line of her journey to true love. Minster seemed a little scattered to begin with, possibly opening night nerves, but settled down towards the end. Showing off her incredible skills at impressions using French and English accents, that paired with her physicalisation help portray conversations clearly.
Minster is one half of comedy duo Girls Uninterrupted, and is currently appearing in Kinne on 7mate, which she shamelessly plugs during the show.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
