{"id":8035,"date":"2017-02-05T14:54:41","date_gmt":"2017-02-05T14:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/?p=8035"},"modified":"2017-02-10T10:47:10","modified_gmt":"2017-02-10T10:47:10","slug":"review-triumph-for-musical-theatre-society-in-urinetown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/2017\/02\/05\/review-triumph-for-musical-theatre-society-in-urinetown\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: triumph for Musical Theatre Society in ‘Urinetown’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hats off to the Musical Theatre Society<\/strong> for a terrific production of Urinetown<\/em> at the Marlowe Theatre Studio in Canterbury this weekend; a hard-working ensemble were led by a strong cast, delivering an energy-filled and very physical performance, with some wonderful comic touches and some genuinely touching moments.<\/p>\n

Soprano Francesca Charlton<\/strong> had great charm and vocal presence as Hope Cladwell, whilst Charlie Hunt<\/strong> was outstanding as a deliciously villainous Caldwell B Cladwell; Matt Cooke<\/strong> was a delight as Bobby Strong, ranging from rabble-rouser to vulnerable with great skill, whilst Charley Tench<\/strong> dominated the stage as Miss Pennywise – she brought a hugely expressive face to the production, striding around like a colossus whenever she was present. Philip Hunt<\/strong> was an engaging narrator in the role of Officer Lockstock, whilst Anna Reith<\/strong> played Little Sally with beguiling charm, the fulcrum character representing the meeting-point between the downtrodden citizenry and the money-grabbing powers of the upper world. And a tip of the hat to Daniel Hemming<\/strong>, who played several roles (including Pop Strong) and was a scene-stealer throughout the performance, with comic timing and a devilish sense of mischief that was a delight to behold.<\/p>\n

Charley Tench (centre) dominates the stage as Miss Pennywise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Daniel Hemming and Matt Cooke as Pop and Bobby Strong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Francesca Charlton as Hope Cladwell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Charlie Hunt in devilish form as the villainous Caldwell B Cladwell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Anna Reith as Little Sally with Matt Cooke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Directors Ben Chamberlain<\/strong> and Sarah Butt<\/strong> demonstrated a great eye for tableaux and some fabulous ensemble pieces, and the set design and costumes showed real inventive flair; there were occasional salient nods to the current political climate too, plenty of in-character interaction with the audience both before the performance began and during the interval, which brought us closer to the production, and a few in-jokes to appeal to the local crowd.<\/p>\n

Supported by a tight-knit and musically agile pit band under the baton of Jack Gray<\/strong>, this was a top-notch production greeted rightly with terrific applause from a packed house; bravo to everyone involved!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"Main images courtesy of the Musical Theatre Society<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n