Act II - Decay
Echoes of us - This song opens act II, which heralds a more explicit examination of the human costs of social media. Dancers assume a position we see quite a lot in this show, facing each other across the stage. This time they cannot see each other, separated by a high mound of 'digital rubbish' monitors, tablet devices, keyboards, glued together. They sing through the mound. On the backing of the stage we see posts being shared showing examples of online bullying and shaming.


All for ONE (and NONE for all) - Before this song begins, Jonas directly addresses the audience. "Thank you my ungrateful servants for voting in the interval. What was the outcome, who knows, frankly, who cares? But you have at least swayed which song shall serve as my accension tune". This number sees Jonas back on stage again. It is his victory song, having successfully weaponised his populist agenda via social media, and been elected to power. The lyrics speak to the truth, of an inward-looking, each man for himself, agenda. The crowd of examples from across society that have voted him in are naturally jubilant.


#Online, but not mine - We now switch across to focus on a couple who demonstrate the effects social media, and smart technology has on relationships. A husband and wife, who were together before the 'digital age' have now drifted apart physically and emotionally. He is being drawn in by Jonas' agenda, and will often sit alone in his office posting online. They are distally placed on the stage. A key element in this scene is as they both walk towards the (exagerated size sofa) their children appear from stage left and right. The parents are staring at their phones, and skirt round the children as they walk, they do not acknowledge them. The children look upset, and slowly wonder off stage.


Raise the flag - Having established power, Back2Borders now allow, and entertain, a militant change in society. The boundaries between national pride and hate are too blurred for most to understand exactly what they are supporting, but are carried along with the crowd and social media hysteria. This scene has Jonas down amongst the crowd, wearing pseudo-military clothing, and stoking up movement. Dancers wave red flags. Fire-coloured lighting scheme.
StOp ThE bOaTs - Brief interlude song, that immediately follows 'Raise the flag'. Jonas departs the stage. Down cast light on the stage, creates a yellow beach area, and blue sea area. The remaining 'supporters' are stood on the beach area, all looking out to sea. Strobe lighting creates a storm effort as the chanting ensues. Close to black.
@Stanger on my street - The lowest emotional point in the show. This scene again zooms in on a particular sub-story. We meet Aziz, a retired secondary school teacher, of British-born Pakistani origin. He is known in his community for being a champion of young people. As the first Pakistani heritage town councillor he campaigned to have youth workers in the town years ago. He also tutored struggling students for free. He felt as British as any other member of the community. Before the song we see an acted scene played out where the character is walking down the street carrying two bags of shopping. A father and his teenage son, are walking in the opposite direction. The son knocks into Aziz, causing him to job his shopping. The young boy mutters "why don't you go home mate", his father, whilst knowing Aziz for some years and always being civil previously, stifles a snigger as they walk on without looking back. The song choreography is very stripped back. For the most part, it is Aziz wandering the street scene stage. He is joined by his wife in later parts of the song.
During the interval the audience are asked to access an app via QR code. It is a referendum question from 'Back2Borders' it asks them to vote for one of two options:
Pay more tax, and accept that others have benefited
Pay less tax, I work hard for my money, others can too
The app does not track user data. However, the cast need to be prepped to sing one of two versions of a later song, steered by the vote. Demonstrating the fickle nature of populist influence on the agenda.
Curtains!
The mask slips - SysTmCRas# - This song sees the fall of Jonas and his Back2Borders movement. The stage sees Jonas and his followers, facing the citizens on the other, they also have a lead voice who stands slightly in front of their group, mirroring Jonas. There is a dial projected on the back screen, with confidence and corruption being the two extremes of the measure. The dial starts at confidence, and moves towards corruption as the song progresses. Whilst initially a balanced 'dance off', from the point the lyric "corruption rising" is heard, the citizen crowd begin to make ground, shift the Jonas group more towards the side of the stage, showing them being pushed out. By end of the song they are very pinched and clustered together.
The veil falls - Closes out the main element of the show. Most the cast are now on stage for this number. Facing the audience. Holding hands in pairs and groups. Ensure the couple and their children from #Online, and Aziz and his wife are front row. Positive, coordinated dance number.
Monsieur Algorithm - To end the show with something lighter, we meet a new generation algorithm, now A.I. This comical Frenchman wanders onto the stage as the song starts, joined by fellow A.I. models in hoodies. Essentially all the cast join on stage in this manner through the song. Both to demonstrate the growth of this new technology, and to get them all on stage for curtain call. The lyrics are light-hearted and arrogant, as whilst society assumes it might have weakened to the dangers of digital technologies, A.I. knows it has the inevitable upper hand still.












Could you bring this to human life?
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