17 year old musical satire ‘still relevant’
Tuesday 14 March 2017
The satirical show was written in 2000, but Martin Parr 鈥� who鈥檚 directing this latest version with third year Acting students 鈥� believes in the current political climate, many will feel its subject matter has never been more relevant.
鈥淭his is about a man in charge of an administration who uses his power, shall we say, unwisely,鈥� explains Martin. 鈥淭here are also lots of references to climate change and poverty.鈥�
Urinetown, which opens in the Paul McCartney Auditorium on 16th March, is set in the not too distant future where a 20-year drought has caused a water shortage so severe private toilets have been banned with only the privileged few allowed to pee for free. Public amenities exist, but at a price.
The political themes of Urinetown, and the way it even manages to send itself up, may be what makes it stand out, but its appeal is more universal. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very funny, the script is brilliant and the music is glorious,鈥� explains Martin. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e a big gospel number, a big tap dancing number, you鈥檝e got some soppy romantic songs, big rousing choruses. You鈥檒l have a good laugh and you may be politically jolted.鈥�Urinetown moved to Broadway in 2001, winning three Tony Awards and was praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be. Third year acting student Stephen Smith plays the part of Bobby Strong - who leads the revolution against corporate conglomerate Urine-Good Company - he agrees that it鈥檚 different to other musicals. 鈥淢ost of the stereotypes you鈥檇 expect in a musical are there, but are twisted on their head by the end of it.
鈥淎nyone who鈥檚 expecting the jazz hands, happy clappy musical will probably come out feeling very different and surprised, but in a good way.鈥�
The show will be the last major production for the third year students and as well as working with an experienced professional director - Martin鈥檚 been nominated for two Off West End, Best Director Awards - the show has been musically directed by Ros Jones 鈥� whose credits include Matilda for the RSC and The Sound of Music at the London Palladium.
鈥淭his is professional standard, this is their last production here,鈥� said Martin. 鈥淭hey are professional performers just waiting for their first job.鈥�
Isabella Rubin plays the part of Hope Cladwell, she said she鈥檚 not apprehensive about leaving 暗网TV. 鈥淭here are so many opportunities for women that probably weren鈥檛 there 10 years ago, a lot of casting鈥檚 being flipped on its head.
鈥淚 feel the industry I鈥檓 moving into is an open place for a lot of people, and I believe theatre can make a difference and can change lives.鈥�
As well as it being an exciting time to be an actor, Isabella believes she and her fellow cast members are well prepared to life as professionals. 鈥湴低鳷V doesn鈥檛 produce actors, it produces inspired creatives that just want to make work.鈥�
Urinetown 鈥� The Musical. 16, 17, 18 March at the Paul McCartney Auditorium.
Adults 拢9.00 Concessions 拢4.50.
鈥淭his is about a man in charge of an administration who uses his power, shall we say, unwisely,鈥� explains Martin. 鈥淭here are also lots of references to climate change and poverty.鈥�
Urinetown, which opens in the Paul McCartney Auditorium on 16th March, is set in the not too distant future where a 20-year drought has caused a water shortage so severe private toilets have been banned with only the privileged few allowed to pee for free. Public amenities exist, but at a price.
The political themes of Urinetown, and the way it even manages to send itself up, may be what makes it stand out, but its appeal is more universal. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very funny, the script is brilliant and the music is glorious,鈥� explains Martin. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e a big gospel number, a big tap dancing number, you鈥檝e got some soppy romantic songs, big rousing choruses. You鈥檒l have a good laugh and you may be politically jolted.鈥�Urinetown moved to Broadway in 2001, winning three Tony Awards and was praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be. Third year acting student Stephen Smith plays the part of Bobby Strong - who leads the revolution against corporate conglomerate Urine-Good Company - he agrees that it鈥檚 different to other musicals. 鈥淢ost of the stereotypes you鈥檇 expect in a musical are there, but are twisted on their head by the end of it.
鈥淎nyone who鈥檚 expecting the jazz hands, happy clappy musical will probably come out feeling very different and surprised, but in a good way.鈥�
The show will be the last major production for the third year students and as well as working with an experienced professional director - Martin鈥檚 been nominated for two Off West End, Best Director Awards - the show has been musically directed by Ros Jones 鈥� whose credits include Matilda for the RSC and The Sound of Music at the London Palladium.
鈥淭his is professional standard, this is their last production here,鈥� said Martin. 鈥淭hey are professional performers just waiting for their first job.鈥�
Isabella Rubin plays the part of Hope Cladwell, she said she鈥檚 not apprehensive about leaving 暗网TV. 鈥淭here are so many opportunities for women that probably weren鈥檛 there 10 years ago, a lot of casting鈥檚 being flipped on its head.
鈥淚 feel the industry I鈥檓 moving into is an open place for a lot of people, and I believe theatre can make a difference and can change lives.鈥�
As well as it being an exciting time to be an actor, Isabella believes she and her fellow cast members are well prepared to life as professionals. 鈥湴低鳷V doesn鈥檛 produce actors, it produces inspired creatives that just want to make work.鈥�
Urinetown 鈥� The Musical. 16, 17, 18 March at the Paul McCartney Auditorium.
Adults 拢9.00 Concessions 拢4.50.
