MIDAS Theatre returns to Wokingham Theatre with a dark musical satire
Urinetown: The Musical takes place in the not too distant future, when a crippling drought has caused a water shortage so severe that the government has enforced a ban on private toilets.
Instead, everyone is forced to use public bathrooms, under the watch of a giant and sinister corporation profiteering from admission charges for one of humanity’s most basic needs.
Transportation to Urinetown is the punishment for those who fail to comply, but amid the desperation, an unlikely hero plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.
“It’s a touching, unnerving and darkly comic satire on corruption, catastrophe and musical theatre itself,” said director Thomas Atkinson-Joy.
“Urinetown is an audacious and exhilarating take on a future that could await us all.
“It couldn’t feel more timely.
“It’s a show about corruption, about a society forced to reckon with an environmental catastrophe of its own making, and ultimately about whether ordinary people have the power to decide their own fate.
“It’s a dark comedy in every sense, and one that’s stayed relevant since it first won multiple Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, and later played the West End in a production directed by a then up and coming Jamie Lloyd early in his career. “We can’t wait to bring it to Wokingham audiences.
“This is going to be unlike any musical theatre you see this year.”
Formed in 2022, Midas Theatre is a collective of performers, musicians and theatre makers staging fringe theatre and developing original productions.
With a cast of 15 and a live band on stage, Urinetown follows previous Midas shows; Murder Ballad, Midas at the Musicals, and The Toxic Avenger, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
Direction and musical direction is by Thomas Atkinson-Joy, with choreography from Amy Gough.
Urinetown can be seen at Wokinhgam Theatre from Wednesday, July 29 through to Saturday, August 1.
Performances are at 7.45pm, with tickets costing £22.50.
For tickets and information, visit: midastheatre.com
