Urinetown
ARU’s Year 1 Musical Theatre students delighted audiences with their performances of Urinetown, in the Covent Garden Studio, in April 2022.
Urinetown is about a dystopian future where a long and severe drought has led to the privatisation of water. Personal bathrooms are no longer allowed and everyone has to use
public toilets where they pay to pee. The Poor struggle every day to find enough money to afford the ever-increasing charges, until one of their own, Bobby Strong, rises up to lead them in a rebellion. But, things don’t go according to plan because… there is no plan, and, gradually, betrayal, vengeance, and empty promises beset their society. Which is a
shame because, as Little Sally says, "the music’s so happy!"
Urinetown premiered off-Broadway in 2001. It was written by Greg Kotis (book and lyrics) and Mark Hollman (music and lyrics) and won the Tony awards for Best Book and Best
Original Score. ARU’s production was musically directed by Adam Gerber, and Directed by Shaun Aquilina.
The Poor, played by the Urinetown ensemble, perform the show’s opening number.
The climax of “Cop Song”, featuring characters Lockstock and Barrel and the Urinetown ensemble.
The final image of “Cop Song”, in Act 1.
The Urinetown ensemble in the Act 1 finale.
Caldwell tries to pay off Bobby in Act 2 of Urinetown.
The revolutionary poor turn on their hostage, Hope Cladwell.
The Urinetown ensemble perform a high energy dance number in “Snuff That Girl” while the character of Hope remains gagged and blindfolded.
The closing image of Urinetown, in the final chorus of the show.