BALDIVIS resident Kairen Thorpe is making his stage debut in a hysterical and satirical send-up about greed, love, revolution and bathroom habits – and even musicals themselves.
Written by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis and directed by another Baldivis local, Craig Griffen, the Tony Award-winning Urinetown follows janitor Bobby Strong and the rest of the city’s poorest citizens, who struggle to pay the fees needed to go to the bathroom.
They find inspiration and a spark of hope that leads them to rebel against the ruling class and egocentric chief executive that lord it over the city.
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READ NOWThorpe plays Bobby Strong, a rebellious visionary, plumber and custodian.
“He works assisting Ms Pennywise at a public toilet facility and his task is to keep things running and as clean as possible,” he said.
“The show is a very tongue-in-cheek and self-aware dark comedy that takes what seems like an absurd premise and delivers it in a way that’s even absurder.
“It also seems very relevant in today’s water-sparse world.
“Never having done musical theatre before and not knowing how to sing properly has been challenging.
“The dancing has also been an experience.”
Director Craig Griffen described Urinetown as a side-splitting story that uses humour and wit to touch on important social issues.
THE ESSENTIALS
WHAT: Urinetown
WHERE: Melville Theatre, Stock Road, Palmyra
WHEN: 8pm July 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 with a 2pm matinee July 15.
TICKETS: $25, $20 concession. To book call 9330 4565 or visit www.meltheco.org.au.