'Urinetown The Musical' Apollo Theatre ***

For the past year or so, the West End theatre has relied profoundly on transfers from Off West End and Fringe venues as the standard of certain productions have proven to be of the uppermost quality. Victoria’s St James Theatre’s West End transfer of musical, ‘Urinetown The Musical’ received some critical acclaim, in March 2014. Then again, one found the production at the Apollo Theatre lacked vigour, and the performances were underwhelming at elements.

‘Urinetown The Musical’ by Greg Kotis and Mark Holllmann transports us to a society where water is at a premium, and that the only mode in which people can urinate is from the public toilets, at a fee, which are managed by “Urine Good Company”. On the other hand, if you do not have the correct amount of money, you will be hauled to Urinetown where your face your penance. Nonetheless, Bobby Strong, the toilet attendant does not support the fact that you have to pay to go to the lavatory, and along with the local community, they dissent against this ridiculous restriction. However love blossoms between Bobby and the villain’s daughter, Hope (Rosanna Hyland), but when the police become involved, Bobby decides to kidnap her, in the hope that their demands will be approved. Unfortunately, this does not happen and when Bobby's is caught, and he is immediately taken to Urinetown, and brutally murdered. As such, it causes disgruntlement from his distraught mother Josephine Strong (Lucy Ewing), and his friends seek revenge. It appears that the police, and influential government figures have been corrupted by Caldwell B. Cladwell, the managing director of “Urine Good Company” are given a well-off sum of cash so that they align themselves with him, but indubitably the good prevail, and eventually take over. Paradoxically, the drought conquers ultimately, and everyone ends up dying from thirst. Greg Kotis’ narrative and lyrics and Mark Hollmann's music and lyrics are somewhat satisfactory as the performance only livens up in Act 2 with such musical numbers as; “Run, Freedom, Run”, “Tell Her I Love Her” and “I See A River”,but some of the dialogue, throughout was far too clichéd for one liking.

One found the performances by the company of ‘Urinetown The Musical’ were quite courteous as they encapsulate the malevolence of a world of deprivation. Matthew Seadon-Young is decent as the hunky male lead, Bobby Strong; especially when we see the horror on his face when he sees what Urinetown actually is. Phill Jupitus is acceptable as the baddie, Caldwell B. Cladwell; particularly when he revels in his own self-importance in the musical number, ”Don’t Be The Bunny”, as well as, his comic timing is rib- tickling. Jonathan Slinger is fine as Officer Lockstock, who also performs the role as the narrator; visibly the interactions it has with Little Sally, (Karis Jack) explains that musical theatre does not need to be a cheerful experience, which one finds vastly accurate.

Jamie Lloyd's direction is tolerable here, as he has created a production that makes you think about that you should appreciate that water can be dried up in uneasy climates, if we don't protect the planet. Soutra Gilmour's design is miraculous as she has fashioned a set that appears to resemble a 1930’s environment with a lair of pipes and tunnels to depict the title and concept of the show, which is phenomenally riveting. Overall, one found the experience of ‘Urinetown The Musical’ to be in a watchable one, even though it had disappointing moments.