The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

4
At the Drayton Arms Theatre.
By Daryl - 5th Jun 2018

The spelling bee is something reasonably alien to a British audience but something that all North Americans will be familiar with - the gladiatorial sport of a spelling competition. For children. With music and lyrics by William Finn (Falsettoland, Falsettos, Elegies: A Song Cycle amongst others) and book by Rachel Sheinkin, this quirky musical follows the contestants through their trials, tribulations and sometimes tantrums of the spelling bee.

Set in a school gymnasium, designer Victoria Francis has chosen to take us to a world akin to the Early Learning Centre, with large letters of the alphabet and primary coloured furniture. It works a treat. Coupled with the child-like costumes for the cast - all perfect for their characters - we are instantly transported back to school. And perhaps some of the fear that that holds. The fear is enhanced as some poor, unfortunate members of the audience are asked to join the spellers on stage at the start of the contest. How long you last depends on how cruel the company is feeling!

Adam Haigh, Director and Choreographer, has squeezed every last bit of humour out of this production. It can be quite a serious piece as children struggle desperately to spell words that most of us have never heard of, so I was intrigued to see how the director's choice would play out. For the most part, it works. Just occasionally the conflict that is required for any drama is lost at the expense of the concept.

William Finn has written a musical that gives each member of the cast a chance to shine and in this production, they all certainly take their moment. Without exception the cast is excellent but I must single out TJ Lloyd as William Barfee (that's BARFAY) and Michael Watson-Gray as Douglas Panch for their exquisite performances.

I would urge you to go and see this lovely show before it closes. It's a triumph. Definition? Great success. Can I use it a sentence? MKEC Production's version of the show at the ever-versatile Drayton Arms is a triumph. T-R-I-U-M-P-H. Triumph.

Daryl


Latest News & Reviews

28th Mar 24 :: Review: The Wizard of Oz
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
27th Mar 24 :: Critics Circle Awards
The winners of this year's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards have been announced.
22nd Mar 24 :: Review: The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
5
12th Mar 24 :: Review: Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
3
7th Mar 24 :: Review: The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
5
6th Mar 24 :: Review: And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2
5th Mar 24 :: Review: Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
3
2nd Mar 24 :: Review: Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
2
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
3
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
26th Feb 24 :: Offies Winners 2024
WInners of the Offies 2024 awards have been announced.
15th Feb 24 :: Review: The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
12th Feb 24 :: Review: Whatsonstage Awards Winners
The winners of the Whatsonstage Awards announced.
0
6th Feb 24 :: Review: Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
Selected dates until 26 February at the Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, London W1D 5DH
4
5th Feb 24 :: Review: Macbeth
David Tennant and Cush Jumbo at the Donmar Warehouse
4
20th Jan 24 :: Review: Disney's Aladdin
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
19th Jan 24 :: Review: Alegria - Cirque du Soleil
The latest production seen at the Royal Albert Hall
3
20th Dec 23 :: Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Pantomime seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Dec 23 :: Review: Sleeping Beauty
Panto at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing.
4
13th Dec 23 :: Review: A Christmas Carol
Guy Masterson's one-man production seen in Boscastle
5

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 10 days
 
Birmingham Royal Ballet - Black Sabbath
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 13th Oct 23 :: 145 views
And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 6th Mar 24 :: 116 views
The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 7th Mar 24 :: 111 views
The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
Posted 22nd Mar 24 :: 106 views
Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 103 views
Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
Posted 5th Mar 24 :: 97 views
The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 15th Feb 24 :: 91 views
Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
Posted 12th Mar 24 :: 88 views
Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 75 views
Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
Posted 2nd Mar 24 :: 66 views


Listings powered by Dynamic Listing Ltd
Mastodon X - Twitter Multidomain certificate installed
© Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024