By Janice Bailey
We are not sure quite why the creators of ‘Urinetown’ created such a difficult name to sell!
It makes sense when you see the show, though.
Think … resource scarcity, specifically water … and what if you had to ‘pay to pee’? And where, specifically, is Urinetown – is it a mythical place, or is it right here? Nope, definitely not here; Tamborine Mountain has no challenges with its natural resources … or does it?
Getting past the title, the dominant vibe of Tamborine Mountain Little Theatre’s upcoming production of this vibrant and entertaining musical is embodied in the contrasts of old and new, innovation and tradition.
Old in that about half the cast are Zamia stalwarts, and half are new blood from other theatres.
Theatre stalwarts Cath Buckley, Lesley Sawyer, Owen Buckley, Linda Simister and Brendan Payne appear.
There are three current students of Goat Track Theatre in the show, energetic youngsters Isabelle Payne (Brendan’s daughter), Ewen Thompson and Ewan Konrad Kintzel, plus another half-dozen experienced actors from other theatres, and accomplished singers. It’s a great combination!
As is usual in community theatre, some of the cast weren’t born when others had embarked on their acting journey.
Love the cross-generational mix … it comes out in the play’s themes, too.
Innovation is represented by the choice of a musical. It’s been many years since the TM Little Theatre mounted one. But Director Julie Smith clearly relishes a challenge, and musical director Christine Leah and choreographer Lynette Wockner are integral members of her talented team. With a four-piece live band, quirky and catchy songs, sharp choreography, a love story (or two), and both humour and darkness, this will be one to remember. There are some show-stopping numbers that will thrill you! ‘Tradition’ is of course the consistent quality of TM Little Theatre’s output, whatever the production, and ‘Urinetown’ will be no exception.
Urinetown starts on April 24, running for three weekends at Zamia Theatre.
Tickets are $20pp, $18 (conc), $144 tables of eight. It’s a convivial night out, BYO everything. Book at www.trybooking.com/DJGKH. So … look past the title, and roll up for a great night out.
