Urinetown: The Musical

Two decades of drought result in a ban on the use of private toilets, and citizens are forced to pay through the roof to use public amenities, a privilege we currently enjoy in the real world without the excuse of a drought. A classic story of underdog vs. megalomaniac corporation, Urinetown ticks all the musical clichés through witty narration and blatant self-awareness. Rife with wink wink nudge nudge humour and lyrics that aren’t afraid to reach for the sake of a rhyme, Urinetown is a unique musical in its ability to subvert conventions, whilst also humorously critiquing large-scale, universal issues.

It’s an achievement in itself to fit a cast of 16 onto Little Theatre’s tiny stage

This particular production boasted a cast packed with excellent comedic timing and brilliant vocal talent. Ollie Wray held complete command over the role of Bobby Strong, the pissoir revolutionary who leads the water closet rebellion, and the fantastic Ellie Earl is the idealistic, but fatally naive, Hope Cladwell. Tony Bright and Max Bower made a hilarious double act as Officer Lockstock and Barrel, along with Elsie Lovelock as Little Sally, a ghostly but humorously shrewd street urchin.

It’s an achievement in itself to fit a cast of 16 onto Little Theatre’s tiny stage, but choreographer Katy Markey packed several punchy routines in, with nods to West Side Story and Sweeney Todd, and Louis Craig’s direction made excellent use of the space. Overall, it was a smooth and stylish production with a lot of smoke, dust, stark makeup and leather, lending it an edgy, Rocky Horror vibe.

Just as we can enjoy being able to relieve ourselves wherever we like, whenever we like, and with whomever we like, this great production of Urinetown will definitely enjoy a very successful run at Brighton Little Theatre.