An avant-garde, crowd-funded play called “I Love Todd Sampson” is set to open in Sydney in February featuring scenes of the Leo Burnett ad man bathing in a mentally unstable woman's bath tub. 

Last October B&T revealed that independent Australian theatrical group, The Living Room Theatre, was raising funds via Pozible to produce a play inspired by the Leo Burnett advertising guru.

The group reached its budget and has released tickets for the play which will premiere on 28 February 2013 at Pier 2/3.

According to its producers, "I Love Todd Sampson" is a “sensory-rich play that deals with themes of mental health and loneliness in an engaging and unexpected way”. Sampson himself has played no part in the conception or production of the play. 

The central character in the story is a lonely, middle-aged woman named Laura, supported by the “friends” who live inside her. Laura’s “friends” have manifested from paintings, furniture and walls to help her overcome traumatic childhood experiences, forming the anchors which ultimately bring her back from taking her life over the edge.  

In search of a new comfort, Laura immerses herself in the life of Todd Sampson, CEO of Leo Burnett Australia, co-creator of the Earth Hour initiative and commentator on The Gruen Transfer. 

“The reassuring and charming voice of the Canadian-born ad-man permeates the performance, as Laura constructs a new reality piecing together fragments of Sampson's life until she discovers him bathing in her tub,” the Living Room Theatre said.

The performance integrates architecture, music, light and performance and encompasses the creative involvement of nine architectural teams, a jazz composer, sound designer, installation artist and performers.

Writer and director Michelle St. Anne said: “Our work gives a voice to those vulnerable in our community.  It’s about framing the everyday into beautiful artistic works so we can allow others to see into this world through a less confronting platform.”

Tickets are on sale at Moshtix – http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/search?query=I+Love+Todd+Sampson