Public The Musical at Curve Theatre, Leicester Review
Written by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Public The Musical comes to Leicester’s Curve Studio Theatre this week with its catchy pop/rock tracks, many moments of sarcasm and four contrasting characters with very different stories. Created by Hannah Sands, Kyla Stroud and Natalie Stroud, Public The Musical is a critically acclaimed production that has had two very successful runs, both at the VAULT Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023.
What would you do if you were locked in a public bathroom overnight with three strangers, no phone signal and limited food rations? Would you panic? Would you make the best of the situation? Or would you get to know the people that you’re stuck with for the foreseeable?
It’s one of those unlikely situations, which along with getting stuck in a lift, could really flush you into a spin. Yes, that’s right, the premise behind this production is that it is set in a public lavatory!
Opening the show with their first musical number ‘So Close,’ actors Matt Corner, Cole Dennis, Grace Towning and Ivano Turco, who play Andrew, Laura, Zo and Finlay respectively, bring an almighty amount of emotion, energy and understanding both to the forefront of the stage and this production.
Trying to make the best of the situation is Zo, an influencer with 50,000 views and a lifestyle which involves the bank of Mum & Dad. Dressed up as a bumblebee for no apparent reason with their black fluffy head boppers and a stripey yellow top, their quite quickly makes you as the audience member laugh out loud but also cringe in equal measure.
Zo aims to bring the group together as they realise that they have unexpectedly been locked into a public toilet overnight. Panicking about losing his job whilst locking himself in the only working toilet is Finley, played by Ivano Turco, a young gay lad working for a local takeaway who is also looking after his elderly grandmother. Finley has the weight of the world on his shoulders and one flapjack in his pocket, with this journey throughout the show being one that particularly grabbed my attention.
Looking for a man in finance? Then Andrew, a keen cyclist, is your man. On his own journey throughout this production, Andrew lets his guard slip as he opens up to the strangers that he has found himself with, and Matt Corner, who plays Andrew, provides many poignant moments in the show, particularly in his conversation with Laura. Finally, Laura, along with their silver suitcase and avocado oodie, shares their background and worries as someone who has struggled with stereotypes and their understanding of their sexuality throughout their life.
There are so many stories unearthed throughout the course of this musical, and all have come together in this one location seamlessly. This new musical is appropriate for a range of ages and generations as there are many old and modern references which enable audiences to have something they can easily relate to.
Will this musical leave you feeling fresh as a whistle or does the toilet stall need an out of order sign hanging on the door? Public The Musical for me was a complete breath of fresh air! In a year full of touring productions with very similar themes (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde & Waitress), I thought this new musical stood out. It is brave, bold and confident with its plot, setting and dynamic staging, which miraculously all comes together along with the equally talented cast members.
The music, composed by Kyla Stroud and designed by Russell Ditchfield, is unique and original whilst feeling familiar at the same time. Catchy tunes including ‘Small Talk’ ‘Graffiti’ and ‘Missing Pieces’ will have you singing in the bathroom for months to come. Just make sure that you don’t get locked in!
Public The Musical at Leicester’s Curve Theatre until Saturday 13th June 2026.
★★★★★
