The Peculiar and Whimsical PBJ
Kamibox's surrealist proposal for Romeo and Juliet combines elements of musical theater, Shakespeare's play, and cut-out animation in the style of Monty Python.
A new musical game titled PBJ - The Musical is set to launch on the App Store on March 26. This project is a creation of the studio Kamibox, led by Philipp Stollenmayer, who teamed up with the talented British musician and comedian Lorraine Bowen, known for her charming song "The Crumble Song." Stollenmayer expressed that since witnessing Bowen's performance on Britain's Got Talent in 2015, when she received the Golden Buzzer from David Walliams, he was fascinated and knew he wanted to collaborate with her. The uniqueness of her compositions perfectly aligned with the style of his previous games, such as Sometimes You Die and Bacon - The Game.
PBJ - The Musical blends elements from the famous Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, with a musical theater aesthetic, mostly presented by children, and elaborate animated landscapes made from paper cutouts. In this version, Peanut Boy is the equivalent of Romeo, hailing from a black-and-white post-war world, while Strawberry Girl represents Juliet, coming from a colorful and sweet world filled with real-life references.
The game's mechanics allow users to control the characters through taps and drags, guiding cut-out figures through a diorama. Unlike Shakespeare's original tragedy, this game promises a happy ending. According to the developers, the story culminates in the creation of the iconic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an idea that a modern playwright might have described as "the greatest heaven of invention."
Interested individuals can view a preview of this quirky musical in the available trailer, and the app will be available for iPhone and iPad for a cost of $4. The option to pre-order is already enabled in the App Store.