Spelling Bee The Musical

This was an amazingly funny show with a new slant and twist, and at times dangerously close to being over done to the original show, that said it was well delivered to a very appreciative audience. In a world of shows normally highlighting the male and female leads this show was packed with a full company of leads each in their own way characterising their own roles which only added to the comedy of the piece. I was only sorry to have missed a second viewing as two part’s had been shared by two sets, the two I viewed were Marcy Park (Jade Taylor) and Olive Ostrovsky (Georgia Sproston) and I’m sure the ones I missed delivered the same comical charisma. The pace was fast and slick, always aware of the audience’s reaction to the comedy the diction and pauses were right on queue. The interaction between The Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Simon Dean) and Rona Lisa Peretti (Barbara Tomlinson) were an integral link to all the action throughout, innuendo and tongue in cheek were the name of the game with these two which they both carried off perfectly. William Morris Barfee (Ryan Bearpark) and Logainne SchwarandGrubenierre (Libby Knapper) were hilarious both with facial expressions, singing and acting, both trying to outdo the other with their spelling abilities well done to you both, very funny indeed. Three parts doubling up in characters proved to be an absolute hoot both with costumes and timing respectively Charlito Tolentino/Jesus (Matt O’Donnell), Leaf Coneybear / Carl Grubenierre (Sean Clark-Wilkinson), Mitch Mahoney / Dan Schwarz (Benjamin Stubbs) . The songs and dance routines were well drilled and the production as a whole was thoroughly enjoyable.
Many thanks for your hospitality during my visit.        

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