“Urinetown” by Beeston Musical Theatre Group
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton

The idea for this musical came about when writer Greg Kotis encountered a pay per use toilet while in Europe and began writing the book shortly after.

“Urinetown” is a social and political satire set in a fictional future where a terrible 20-year drought has crippled the city’s water supplies. Water is so scarce that the government enforces a ban on all private toilets in an effort to control water consumption.

The citizens must now use the public, pay-per-use amenities owned and operated by Urine Good Company (UGC) – a private malevolent corporation run by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell. Citizens who try to take the pee by bypassing the peeing-fee by relieving themselves in the bushes risk being taken away to “Urinetown”, a mysterious place where many have been sent but no one ever returns.

The oppressed masses huddle in line at the poorest, filthiest urinal in town, Public Amenity #9, which is run by the rigid, harshly authoritarian Penelope Pennywise and her assistant, dashing young rebel Bobby Strong. With fee increases in the pipeline, the poor rise up under the leadership of Bobby to fight the tyrannical regime for the right to make the public amenities free for all to use.

Will Bobby succeed? Only one way to find out, dear reader!!

Christopher Collington (Bobby Strong) plays the hero of the hour, and as soon as I heard that Chris was to play Bobby, I knew that this role was well filled because Bobby is an unconventional hero and Chris plays unconventional so well - believe me this is a compliment. His vocals are spot on and he has a natural comedy timing which is what this role depends upon

Claire Rybicki (Little Sally) brings out the little girl in this role, complete with teddy bear. Not only playing the youngest role in the musical but also co narrator with Officer Lockstock, one of the two police officers, along with Officer Barrel, employed to police the village and escort any rebels to the mysterious Urinetown.

Chris Bryan (Lockstock) and Abby Riddell (Barrel) make a fine pairing with Chris's vocals seeming ever more powerful with every show I see him in. Abby is a fine pairing in the comedy stakes. Lockstock and this one smokin' Barrel, once again, perfectly cast.

Simon Owen (Caldwell B Cladwell) gets to play a baddie as the owner of Urine Good Company (UGC) who is in charge of the pay per pee. Great comedy role and Simon also gets to show off some fine vocals at the same time.

Laura Such (Hope Gladwell) plays the daughter who also manages to capture the heart of Bobby. A wonderful gospel number "I See A River" almost at the end of Act Two provides a vehicle for Laura's soaring and soulful vocals.

Talking of amazing vocal skills, Steph Gray-Blest (Penelope Pennywise) blew the roof off of the Duchess with hers. She has such power and an incredible range to her voice.

Andy Bulmer (Mr McQueen), Lottie Valks (Soupy Sue), Josh Birchall (Hot Blades Harry/Joseph), Rob Charles (Tiny Tom),
Hollie Smith (Little Becky Two Shoes), Carrie-Anne Corner (Josephine ”Old Ma” Strong), John Hand (Senator Flipp), Emily Owen (Billy Boy Bill),Victoria Appleton (Mrs Millennium), Christine Walton (Dr Billeaux), Lucy Castle, Charlotte Howarth, Mina Machin, Emily Owen played the rebels and Jane Cottee, Rachel Maddison, Ruth Maddison and Emma Weir played Caldwell's staff. The script is very generous to all of the above characters as they all have their own moments within the musical.

You can see that this was quite a big production.

I'd seen "Urinetown" before so knew what fun the show was and what a varied soundtrack it has.

For someone who loves the theatre as I do, I was able to spot the nods to other big musicals like "Les Mis", "West Side Story", "Fiddler On the Roof", "Into The Woods" etc with the style of the songs.

A fairly simple but clever set design which meant that the stage crew could very easily transfer Public Aminity #9 into Cladwell's office within seconds.

Wonderful Lighting Design by Dave Martin and Laura Holding, which also was worked into a gag that I couldn't remember being there when I last saw the show, or was it just Mr Collington ad libbing the situation, One will never know!

I have one issue with the sound. I thought that in certain parts, the band swamped some of the vocals, mainly at the start of the second act, but for the main, the sound was really clear and Tom Olding did a really good job with it.

The band, this time back in front of the stage were as usual excellent, under the Musical Direction of Morris Fisher, but I wonder if they had not been in front of the stage where the actors had to sing over them, would the sound issue occurred?

The soundtrack, as I mentioned is a varied one and I especially love "Run Freedom Run", the aforementioned gospelly "I See A River" and the comedy of "Don't Be The Bunny".

The choreography by Jodie Cresdee was A MAY ZINGLY BRILLIANT. the nods to "West Side Story" in some of the routines were just awesome and "Don't Be the Bunny" was just joyous.

Directed by Beth Yearsley, she made sure that all the pacing was right where it should have been, especially with the comedy. Beth has known this cast for some years now and she knows what she can expect from them all and she gets the best from everyone on that stage.

"Urinetown" is one of those Marmite musicals. I hate Marmite but I love this musical and when you have a cast and crew who know exactly how to produce and present not only musical theatre but comedy musical theatre as BMTG do, you can be confident of an excellent night out.

I know that these guys are very serious when it comes to entertainment. This musical takes the p*ss out of itself as it constantly reminds the audience that it is just a musical, but it also succeeds in sending out a serious message about preservation, which may get lost in the entertainment, but it will be embedded in your brain, long after you leave the theatre, complete with the earworm songs from the soundtrack.

Do not be put off by the title, as Little Sally comments on the title it's not the most alluring title for a musical, but it is a great slab of musical theatre entertainment. they all may not live happily ever after but they will now all be able "to pee whenever they like, as much as they like, for as long as they like, and with whomever they like" Amen to that!

“Urinetown” is at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 1 June.