Urinetown The Musical

A story about public toilets may scare away some lovers of traditional and older type musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein / Hart, Porter and Gershwin.   As so many amateur theatre patrons are of the older generation, I assume those who chose this show gave it much financial thought, among other considerations.   As an older thespian, but broadminded reviewer though, I saw the artistic attractions of staging this show and must say this young company succeeded spectacularly.

Set in the near future in a parallel universe and with a water shortage and "evil corporation", there are many parallels in today's world for environmentally and politically aware folk to chew on. As such, it was an ideal show for a well-educated young company to showcase their collective talents.

The set was of an upstage high platform with steps downstage right and left. A brick wall surrounding a prominent centre stage public bathroom or toilet, outside the USA - and the effect was much enhanced  by almost the whole company all in desperate need of the toilet and obviously and "painfully" showing it. I did marvel at how the cast members acted so realistically and the scene was most effective.

Director Fiona Kuhn-Thompson gave us a most imaginatively staged production where the interest never palled. She was well aided by associate director Helen Nightingale. Assistant director was Keir Gilbert-Halladey and I must heartily applaud the thinking behind this production.  

A richly talented team of  key principal  players added much lustre. Notable among these were Max Marchesi as a hugely charismatic Officer Lockstock. Max has a real gift for comedy with immaculate timing and also acting as show narrator was, in my opinion, the outstanding player on stage.      

Ewan Murphy, at a mere sixteen years of age, also has obvious stage talent and his Bobby Strong was a real leading man's performance. Playing opposite Ewan was Caitlin Maden as Hope Cladwell and making much of this rewarding role. Strong-minded Hope, daughter of the corporate baddie Caldwell B Cladwell, gave a most engaging performance. or rather Caitlin did, in fact! Ross McFadden as her father was suitably nasty and made his character easy to dislike, which we certainly did!

The company name (Urine Good Company) in praise of Caldwell put me in mind of the tyrant in North Korea and of how the poor population are expected to openly "worship" him. This mass praise of an evil company boss was powerfully enacted by all on stage. This was merely one instance of the whole theme of being anti the corporate bullying.  As I say, many parallels in today's real world!

A very young Delilah Skyrme is obviously a natural performer on stage and gave a memorable and charismatic performance as Little Sally. This talented young lady will go far is my confident prediction.

Other notable performances were given by Elena Brammar as the authoritarian Penelope Pennywise;  Daniel Thynne as Officer Barrel;  Cesca Ritchie as Josephine 'Ma' Strong;  Will Cook as Joseph 'Old man' Strong (including peeing on stage!);  Luca Crawford in camp style as Mr McQueen;  Giles Carden as Senator Fipp;  Hayley Turner as Mrs Millenium;  Ryan Williams as Dr Billeaux;  Piers Spicer as Hot Blades Harry and Amelia Hulbert as Little Becky Two Shoes.

The music was previously unknown to me and I much enjoyed most of it. There were some very strong principal singing voices, especially Max, Ewan, Caitlin and Delilah. Martin Sargeson was a painstaking musical director - well assisted by Camilla Jeppeson - and his five strong band acquitted themselves really well. The company singing was, in the main, of strong standard and the enthusiasm was very evident.   

Katie Leitch provided excellent choreography of a high order and was ably assisted by Ruth Cheek. Costumes were largely modern style and appropriate for the characters. David Nelson as stage manager and Rachael Cross (DSM) did sterling work on set changes. Lighting, courtesy of Rod Henderson, was effective, as was sound by Ollie Cross. Not having previously seen this show, I arrived unsure about what I would find - suffice to say I went home having been more than pleased by a top class production in which every single person involved will and should be extremely proud.

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