The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Set somewhere in America, this musical follows the endeavours of six dysfunctional school children to become champion of the Putnam County Annual Spelling Bee, giving them the chance to represent their County at the finals in Washington DC. In the course of the production we learn not only of the participants ability to spell, but also a good deal about their backgrounds in terms of family and friendships.

Olive Ostrovski (Bryony McColl) was probably the most normal of the pupils. Her best friend was “the dictionary” which made up, in her perspective, for missing her parents. Well done Bryony, especially with one of the outstanding trios in the show The I Love You Song, in which she is joined by her parents played by Robert Page and Lesley Acheson. Marcy Park (Sami Mudaliar-McKain) is the straight laced American girl who speaks six languages. Great stage presence Sami, making for a very believable character. Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Lianne Duff) was the youngest of the pupils taking part in the Bee. As was required by the role, she spoke with a lisp, and kept this up throughout! Well done! Leaf Coneybear (Naomi Cooper) was a self-acclaimed Superhero, with definite attention disorders. Leaf makes her own clothes, and displays boundless energy. Great performance Naomi – you should be really proud of it! The two male contestants Chip Tolentino and William Barfeè – pronounced Barfay and not Barfee! “I know!” – were superbly played by Robert Page and Shaun Giles respectively. Shaun’s portrayal of the unloved boy who spells with his foot showed excellent characterisation, whilst Robert’s character Chip struggled throughout with the effects of puberty – his opening song in Act Two, Chip’s Lament, bringing much appreciation from the full house tonight. Not satisfied with six pupils on stage, three members from the audience were invited to join the cast in Act One. Congratulations to them for joining in with the production, and to the cast for coping with the (necessary) ad libs!

The ”adult” cast were no less excellent in their characterisations. The Chair of the Bee judging panel, Rona Lisa Peretti, was played confidently by Lesley Acheson, making full use of her excellent singing voice. Vice Principal Deirdre Panch (Susan Wallace) as the official word pronouncer of the show did a superb job with, not only the pronunciations, but also putting the words in to some ridiculous sentences. Finally, we have Michelle Mahoney (Suzanne Petrie) undertaking a Community Service Order but taking the role of Comfort Councillor to the contestants who were eliminated throughout the show. Her “Comfort” being the handing out of juice boxes to the losing contestants!

Well done to all the cast tonight! Being up “close and personal” to the audience in a packed Church Hall could not have been easy, but from an audience perspective it really made us feel part of the show. The set was simple and stretched the whole width of the audience seating, allowing plenty acting space when cast made each of their introductions, having descended from the bleachers. Lighting by Lizzy Gerrie and sound by David Philson with both well operated.   Production was in safe hands with Directors Steph & Lizzy Gerrie and Musical Director Joe Whiteman aided by Dave Griffiths (Accompanist).

This is my first visit to ATG, and my first question is why – after being active for 46 years – I really should have seen at least some of your performances before now. I sincerely hope that it won’t be my last! Thank you for an evening of fine entertainment, thoroughly deserving of the full house I was part of tonight.

Many thanks for inviting me to your show!

Best wishes for your Panto this year!

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