Urinetown

Urinetown at Apollo Theatre

Why see Urinetown?

Welcome to Urinetown!


With Phill Jupitus from December the 1st!


In Urinetown, the irreverent satire about spending a penny, life is grim. Musing on corporate greed, political power and exploitation, with a whole lot of musical theatre pastiche thrown in, this urban dystopia has a strong message, and translates that in the context of wee.

Developed at the New York International Fringe Festival in the early 2000s, the crazy world of Urinetown exploded on Broadway in 2001, running for three years, winning three Tonys Awards and introducing people to new original songs and characters, that have become part of the theatre landscape.

Premiering on The West End in March 2014, Urinetown was highly acclaimed, once people has got over the title. The self referential show, directed by Jamie Lloyd, ran for three months, starring Richard Fleeshman as rebel leader Bobby Strong.

"THE POWER OF POPULATION IS INDEFINITELY GREATER THAN THE POWER IN THE EARTH TO PRODUCE SUBSISTENCE FOR MAN"

- Thomas Malthus

In the bleak reality of Urinetown, everything is in moderation. A drought has led to a tax on peeing, all, ahem... motions have to be carried out in heavily guarded public lavatories. If you can't pay, you cant go. Those who choose to use the street are arrested and sent to the titular Urinetown, a horrific destination from which no one ever returns.

At the heart of the story is the dashing every man Bobby Strong, who rallies against the government, and ultimately, the evil corporations pulling the strings. When his band of rebels take Hope Cladwell, the daughter of Caldwell. B Cladwell, CEO of the Machiavellian Urine Good Company, hostage, everyone learns a valuable lesson about anarchy, love, disappointment and, pee.

Key Information

Audience

Urinetown is suitable for audiences aged 12 and upwards

Dates

Finished 3 Jan 2015

Cast

Nathan Amzi - Officer Barrel

Chris Bennett - Swing & Dance Captain

Katie Bernstein - Little Becky Two Shoes/Mrs. Millennium

Alasdair Buchan - Swing

Marc Elliott - Mr. McQueen

Cory English - Old Man Strong / Hot Blades Harry

Madeleine Harland - Soupy Sue

Rosanna Hyland - Hope Cladwell

Karis Jack - Little Sally

Julie Jupp - Old Woman / Josephine Strong

Aaron Lee Lambert - Billy Boy Bill / UGC Executive #2

Mark Meadows - Senator Fipp

Christina Modestou - Female Swing

Joel Montague - Swing / Assistant Dance Captain & Fight Captain

Jeff Nicholson - Tiny Tom / Dr. Billeaux

Phill Jupitus - Caldwell B. Caldwell

Kane Oliver Parry - Robbie The Stockfish / UGC Executive

Jenna Russell - Penelope Pennywise

Matthew Seadon-Young - Bobby Strong

Jonathan Slinger - Officer Lockstock

Vicki Lee Taylor - Female Swing

Creative

Greg Kotis Book/ Lyrics

Mark Hollmann Music/ Lyrics

Jamie Lloyd Director

Soutra Gilmour Designer

Ann Yee Choreography

Alan Williams Musical Supervisor

Adam Silverman Lighting Designer

Terry Jardine Sound Designer

Nick Lidster Sound Designer

Reviews

Customer reviews

2 reviews, average rating: (4.0 Stars)

Brenfynn

Refreshingly Funny

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. The humour was different but very much to my liking. Tackled a very relevant point in a light hearted yet effective way. The singing and acting was also of a very high standard. Seats were good in terms of visibility but it did leave me feeling like I had a crooked neck. Had a quick burger at Five Guys before hand which was every bit as delicious as my high hopes had expected. All in all, super night out in London - wish I did it more often! ... Read more

Anonymous

An unexpected satire

I went into Urinetown not entirely sure what to expect, apart from perhaps a sprinkling of bathroom humor with a love-story somehow wedged in-between puns. Well it is a lot more complex and a lot less crass than I'd anticipated... a clever comedy with a good dose of satire which comments on social and environmental issues without pushing the ideas too hard. Highly recommended for fans of steampunk, Don DeLillo and dark comedy. ... Read more
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