Music and Lyrics: Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis
Director: Benji Sperring
Yeast Nation: The Triumph of Lifereunites theatrical partners Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, the writing team behind Urinetown, to produce another high-concept musical experience. The unique narrative, told with the grandiose flair of a Greek epic, is energetic, funny and quite poignant. This European premiere of their 2007 show makes for a very interesting evening of entertainment.
Set in the primordial soup over 3 billion years ago, Yeast Nation follows the first ever life forms and proclaims itself to be the earliest story worth musicalizing. The piece is self-aware with meta-references and tongue in cheek jabs, which fits perfectly with the bizarre notion of the first single-celled organisms developing a capacity for love.
The fever-dream narrative is surprisingly complex and political, beginning with Jan the Eldest (the very first yeast) calling for Jan the Wretched to be executed for going against The Strictures which all yeast must follow. Yet within this oppressive society, a spark of dissent is brewing and what follows feels rather like a Shakespearean history play – if you strip away the bio-musicality of it all.
The musical numbers are all very impressive and the cast does Hollmann’s score justice with vocal performances which cannot be faulted; the evening is an aural delight. Mari McGinlay and Shane Convery are particularly impressive as Jan the Sly and Jan the Wise respectively. The pair completely inhabit their antagonistic roles and their characterful performances are electric to watch.
For such a visually ambitious piece, Diego Pitarch’s design achieves a lot with a little, creating a truly immersive environment within the Southwark Playhouse space. Intelligent costumes fit the uniformity of the society whilst also giving each character an identifiable trait, and they have a couple of tricks up their sleeves too.
Under the direction of Benji Sperring, known for other cult musicals like The Toxic Avenger, the production thrives. A lot of creativity has gone into developing the prehistoric world of the piece, including Lucie Pankhurst’s brilliant movement direction, and as the ridiculous tale unfolds it is clear that cast and audience alike are having a lot of fun.
Yeast Nation might divide audiences with its rather marmite concept but it must be seen to be believed. It may not appeal to the masses, but this musical will certainly live on in the hearts of its dedicated fans and is absolutely destined to be a cult-favourite.
Runs until 27 August 2022
The Reviews Hub Score
Cult-favourite
