Nickelodeon The Spongebob Musical

This musical is based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series and co-conceived by Tina Landau with eclectic music – rock, rap and more created by various famous artists - produced on Broadway in 2017. A very new musical, with surprises from start to finish, amazing effects, using video camera and a huge screen centre stage, lighting, flying with catchy musical numbers, imaginative dance routines, bizarre and colourful fishy characters, with costumes to match. Much talent all round in every discipline. Hard work and practice resulted in a magical experience which was certainly endorsed by the reaction of the audience.

Briefly, a fun prologue is performed by Steve Pickering as Patchy The Pirate interacting with the audience, singing his protest song, announcing theatre etiquette instructions and being removed from the stage by a couple of security guards. The musical story begins with the entrance of Spongebob Squarepants together with Gary his pet snail, greeting his friends, best friend Patrick, Squidward and Sandy Cheeks  and the townsfolk  with the company song ‘Bikini Bottom Day’.  Scoundrel Krusty Krab runs the local restaurant with daughter Pearl and Spongebob dreams that one day he might be its manager. This idea is laughed upon as after all he is only a sponge. There is a threat of Mount Humungous erupting - baddies Plankton and Karen the Computer  devise a money-making scheme with an expensive escape pod. Townsfolk agree and to raise the funds they decide to hold a concert. Although just a simple Sponge, our hero persuades Patrick and Sandi to team up and climb the volcano to prevent the eruption using a jetpack device Sandi has invented. They cannot reach in order to throw the device in but of course Spongebob is a sponge isn’t he and so can squeeze through anything can’t he!

With eventual success there is no eruption just bubbles! After apologies and a secret plot revelation Mr Krusty decides Spongebob could manage his restaurant some day and celebrate the saving of Bikini Bottom by arranging a new concert with Pearl and Squidward on his amazing four legs leading and together with the townsfolk welcome a new day. The whole show is totally bonkers but quite wonderful.

Some really good numbers were performed including ‘Just a Simple Sponge’ ‘Daddy Knows Best’ ‘Best Day Ever’ ‘Chop to The Top’ ‘No Control’ ‘Poor Pirate’ naming but a few, in comic catchy or touching moments style, under the direction of  well qualified Joe Thomas. This was his first venture with a full-scale musical resulting in excellent solo, group and full ensemble work. Creative choreography was slickly performed throughout with precision and confidence.

A visual spectacle was created with imagination, hard work which was fun and colourful with Mike Neeson with his scenery and set visions, the addition of gadgets and props created by Linda Cruttenden & Claire Wilson. Excellent lighting and effects with the magic of synchronised sounds created by Foley Artist again a debut from Stu Jordan.  Clever use of a video camera transposed onto a huge screen also added excitement. So very many aspects and congratulations to the costume department, backstage and unseen team.

A first-class colourful programme was designed by Martyn White using the NODA new look branding information giving much show detail and an interesting financial breakdown which perhaps a lot of people have never realised! Copies will go forward to our annual poster and programme competition.

There are many extraordinary characters throughout this musical and I really cannot name you all, but my congratulations go to each and every one of you. However, I must mention energetic  Kailun Dennis as the loveable huge character of  Spongebob he created – again a debut. Regular to our local stages was Gareth Brighton, a man of many varying parts, this time as  flying friend Patrick and to heroine squirrel scientist Sandy Cheeks so very well created and performed by Amy Searle. Certainly, a huge challenge as a show, drawn together by your Director Kitson Wellard  and what a result. Great.

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