The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee is a popular title with amateur companies since it’s 2005 Broadway debut and although the central concept of a school spelling competition does not seem an obvious plot for a musical, it is easy to see why it is so often produced. Its great fun and the clever inclusion of four additional spellers from the audience in the first half provides plenty of opportunities for good comic business and hilarious audience engagement, especially with so many friends and family in the audience. As a result, the first half is brilliantly entertaining but the focus on the final battle in the second half means the show feels rather imbalanced as the focus switches to their back stories.

EBOS’s production makes the most of the opportunities with strong characterisations throughout the cast, some lively choreography in the production numbers and some very good voices amongst them. The Whitby Theatre at Luckley House School was a perfect location for the show not only fully air conditioned but a stage that perfectly fits the setting of the Competition, simply dressed in American flags and high-quality banners. The four guests from the audience were fitted seamlessly into the action and responded well to their cues!

This was a very enjoyable light-hearted entertainment in a wonderfully air-conditioned venue offering a perfect escape from the outside heat and as always EBOS was able to showcase a range of talented performers with some very good voices, lovely dance routines and spot on comic timing.

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