The SpongeBob Musical Youth edition

BCMCS Youth take on Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Square Pants, book by Kyle Jarrow based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg. Many famous people have helped with original songs with the likes of David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At The Disco, John Legend plus Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith to mention but a few. SpongeBob first aired in 1999 and was billed as surreal comedy - in the first month it was the highest rated children’s series. Once you buy into the madness and all that happens in Bikini Bottom you realise you don’t need to be on something to watch the bizarre characters unfold before your eyes.

Walking into the auditorium you are met with the set of Bikini Bottom the underwater city beneath a coral reef known as the Bikini Atoll. Centre Stage is an Easter Island Moai sculpture and Stage Left is a large pineapple house and Stage Right a rock with an aerial on top. The Krusty Krab is set Stage Right owned by Mr Eugune Crab and the Chum Bucket owned by Sheldon J. Plankton is Stage Left. On the back wall is a shimmering silver curtain the flats have sky flowers on that are meant to evoke the look of an Hawaiian shirt. Plastic bottles also adorn the flats as a timely reminder of pollution in our seas. Glass baubles encased in macramé and sea shells are dotted around. The front of the stage are ropes and netting and this is carried on around the set and even the Musical Director’s chair - all adding to the set and giving a magical feel. Various bits of set were then brought on by cast and crew - stage performing platform and mountains. Stage Construction Chris Grady, Andy Parmer and Dennis Boulderstone. The props are over-sized including a sea snail called Gary, a jet pack, see-through umbrellas with lights and trailing fabric to look like sea anemones - that looked beautiful. Props by Jenny Pearce. Sound unobtrusive as it should be was by Lea Royse and Elodie Perrier. Lighting was good in the first half unfortunately they had a technical issue, but the Follow Spots did and amazing job in the second half. Kudos to the cast who just took everything in their stride. Lighting by Norman Bowers and Follow Spots Tom Shinks and Danielle Gavin.

Costumes were weird and wonderful with a hint of the character like SpongeBob wearing a over large beanie. The Sardines in shimmery dresses and Squidward Q. Tentacles with an extra pair of trousers and shoes to contend with aswell as a tap number and glitzy coats. Costume by Kathryn Wilkinson. Make-up was representational of the sea creatures and lots of glitter used. Make-up by Ursula Greenhalgh and team.

I personally thought the score was difficult and well done to Matthew Gavin as the Choreographer - although not a full out dancy show - managed to work with the score and produce some fun numbers including I’m Not a Loser and not many choreographers get to do a full number with car wash sponges. Also Jack Beaven the Musical Director who worked hard with the cast on vocal coaching.

Frances Shinks takes on the role of Director and this is her first time directing with BCMCS Youth and she used to be in the youth group. The overriding feeling is the cast looked to really enjoy themselves and worked well together in the lighting - set back -which I am not sure we would not have noticed if we had not been told. I would point out to the cast be careful of sight-lines when waiting in the wings - you are in view and make sure you keep in character right until you get off stage and are not seen. The cast had some great characters and worked well together which is testament to the director.

Ensemble were Hariet Crompton, Brooke Shum, Jacob Farnworth and Ingrid Potter. Mia Grady was Mrs Puff and Ensemble. Acacia Barlow was Krabby Patty Fish and Ensemble. Charlotte Stone was Electric Skate and Ensemble. Emma Linley was Electric Skate and Ensemble. Isabella Myers was Larry the Lobster and Ensemble. Riley Mckee was Old Man Jenkins and Ensemble. Heidi Blair was Mayor of Bikini Bottom and Ensemble. Cody Rae was Perch Perkins and Ensemble. The delightful Sardines and ensemble were Kallea McKee, Freya Islip and Olivia Ramirez.

The French Narrator based on Jacques Cousteau and also part of Electric Skate was ably played by Steph Stone with a bit of cheekiness thrown in for entertainment. Steph is growing into a confident performer.

Jacob Harvey plays Sheldon J. Plankton the evil one complete with eye patch and side kick Karen Plankton played by Jasimine O’Neill. Jacob and Jasmine worked well together in scheming.

Abigail Eccles played the Scientist squirrel (don’t ask!) Sandy Cheeks - the one who comes up with the idea how to save the day and makes everyone feel good despite them not treating her well. Emiliana Brindle plays Pearl Krabs who has a hunger for fame and to sing and makes her dad see the error of his ways. Happy character with energy.

Asher Reid plays Patrick Star the one who thinks he is far more intelligent than he is but always friendly. Bradley Holt takes on the character of money grabbing Mr Eugene Krabs, I loved his character full of energy and definitely one to watch. Well done.

The Title role went to Lewis Parmar playing SpongeBob Square Pants, who saves the day in Bikini Bottom. Watching Lewis over the years - he is growing into a confident young actor and lovely to see the progression. Good work.

Last but not least is Archie Howarth who takes on the role of the grumpy Squidward Q. Tentacles. Despite his arrogance and ill temper he just wants to get a chance to entertain and he gets his chance and shines with aplomb. With a maturity beyond his years Archie is able to inhabit a character and give us committed performance. Excellent work.

Thank you BCMCS for the invitation to the weird and wonderful Bikini Bottom from my guest Jane and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

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