This production had dual casts in principal roles. In the interest of fairness to all, TASA reviewed both casts. Terry Mountstephen reviewed the Chum Bucket cast, and David Smith reviewed the Krabby Patty cast.
Chum Bucket cast
The SpongeBob Musical (Youth Edition) was a vibrant and thoroughly entertaining production that captivated its young audience from start to finish. This one-hour adaptation of the hit Broadway show brought the beloved characters of Bikini Bottom to life with a burst of colour, energy, and musical excellence.
The show was filled with fantastic harmonies and well-executed performances. In particular, the ensemble number “Bikini Bottom Day” and its reprise were memorable highlights. Emma Palumbo, in the role of SpongeBob SquarePants, truly owned the stage. She embodied the character’s boundless enthusiasm and optimism, delivering a performance that was both in tune and expressive. Her movements were spot on, making SpongeBob a delight to watch.
Emma Sayers, as Sandy Cheeks, impressed with her well-developed Texan accent and clear diction. Her performance was lively and engaging, showcasing her abilities as a singer, actor, and dancer. Tilka Wheal played Patrick Star with a lovable charm, capturing the character’s well-meaning but dim-witted nature perfectly.
Aled Yeoh as Squidward delivered his lines with excellent timing and a wonderfully grumpy sarcasm that made him a favourite among the audience, especially my young companion. The supporting cast also shone brightly, with notable mentions to Lachlan Anderson (Mr.Krabs), Amelie Heyer (Pearl), Bennett Blaine (Plankton), and Carla Vaneteillo (Karen). Each brought their character to life with distinct and memorable performances.
The entire ensemble was immersed in their roles, showing a high level of engagement and energy throughout the show. This dedication is a testament to the production team’s hard work and the effective direction by Billie-Rose Russell. Russell ensured that most of the action and dialogue took place downstage, making it easy for the audience to see and hear the performers’ expressions.
Choreography by Emma Dalton was polished and well-rehearsed, with the use of a Dance Captain (Abby Venning) ensuring the ensemble moved in unison. The musical direction by Giulia-Giorgina Condoluci resulted in high-standard singing and excellent harmonies in most songs. The projections by Balun Dwyer-Reid were captivating, adding a layer of visual storytelling that both my young companion and I particularly enjoyed.
Lighting, by Thom Papps, effectively set the scenes, though there were a couple of moments when the centre stage wasn’t perfectly lit. However, this improved as the show progressed. The costumes, coordinated by Sharon Malujlo and specifically Ann Humphries for Squidward, were fitting and added to the characters’ appeal.
The sound, managed by Ben Sweeney, was generally very good, with only occasional microphone issues and moments when the music volume slightly overpowered the performers. Considering the large cast, Sweeney did a commendable job.
Overall, The SpongeBob Musical – Youth Edition is a show worth seeing. The enthusiastic and smiling cast told a heartwarming story with lots of colour, great singing, and dynamic movement. Ending with the iconic SpongeBob theme song was perfect, leaving the audience humming as they left. This production is a delightful treat for children and adults alike.
Krabby Patty cast
The Krabby Patty cast was very well led by the animated and believable Lucy Parkes as Spongebob. She handled the range of both acting and singing with ease, and worked very smoothly with others in the cast. Abby Hall as Patrick energetically created a lovable and physically awkward character who complemented Spongebob perfectly. Their nicely harmonised BFF song was a delight.
Clare Wilks played Sandy with conviction and empathy, Thomas Wake-Dyster impressed with his style, boldness and movement as the evil Plankton, and Tom Tirrell was thoroughly entertaining – with his incredible four legs – as the pessimistic Squidward.
There were many bright spots created by the supporting cast, in particular Jack Wake-Dyster as the greedy, ever-irritated Mr Krabs and Amelia Boys who impressed with her strong vocal ability as Krabs’ daughter Pearl. The cameo appearances of the amusing trio of sardines, Olive Kennedy, Charlotte Delaere and Isabelle Strelan with their secure, tight harmonies, were a delight. The story line was held together by Charlotte Kameron who played the French Narrator with smooth sophistication.
Everyone in the packed auditorium was engaged and happy with the performance, another deserved success for the Theatre Academy.
