The SpongeBob Musical UK and Ireland tour review – ‘lavish, multi-coloured and somewhat zany’

Hugely successful as a television series, the characters of SpongeBob SquarePants come to the stage in this lavish, multi-coloured and somewhat zany musical. First created in the USA four years ago, the show is currently in Birmingham and is set to continue on a mammoth tour of the UK and Ireland.

Taking us into an underwater world, the story hinges on a volcano of plastic bottles threatening to erupt and wipe out SpongeBob’s home, Bikini Bottom. While the ever-optimistic titular hero tries to find a benevolent solution, evil Sheldon J Plankton intends to use the danger for his own devious ends to achieve Bikini Bottom domination.

But, being honest, the plot isn’t the reason for liking this show – it’s the imaginative ocean setting and costumes, the non-stop songs and the sheer exuberance of the cast who are having as much fun on stage as the children in the audience.

The set, designed by Steve Howell, is funky and quirky with an ecological message as we see the discarded plastic bottles built into a volcanic mountain which bubbles with fire. Screens on either side of the stage take the story forward with constant news bulletins from entertainment presenter Richard Arnold as the perfectly coiffed Perch Perkins.

Sarah Mercadé’s costumes are wonderfully eclectic from SpongeBob’s bubble-decorated shirt and knee-high socks to Squidward’s magical four-legged trousers. There’s a space-age feel to the show not least during SpongeBob’s solo “(Just a) Simple Sponge” in which the stage darkens and he is surrounded by neon sponges dancing in their own routine.

With songs created by a host of megastars including Cyndi Lauper, Steve Tyler and Joe Perry, The Flaming Lips, Panic! At the Disco and Plain White T’s, the production is also a variety show of music with some catchy tunes which are difficult to shake out of your head. Fabian Aloise’s choreography picks up individual characteristics of the oceanic personalities while also ensuring some lively ensemble pieces.

Lewis Cornay is irrepressible as SpongeBob giving the role bucketloads of energy and enthusiasm. With his yellow tinted hair and aquamarine spectacles, he bounces around the stage, refusing to bow to any defeatist talk and believing that, if they all come together, Bikini Bottom will win through.

Divina De Campo layers on the evilness in Plankton. Dressed like an super-villain in giant boots, green bodysuit and, of course, perfectly stylised make-up, De Campo is very much a pantomime baddy whose super-sassy rapping is a highlight of the show.

Gareth Gates gives a great comedic turn as the grumpy Squidward (with Tom Read Wilson covering the role at certain venues across the tour) while Chrissie Bhima’s scientist Sandy Cheeks is smart and feisty.

Directed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson, Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical is a feast for the eyes and ears while also ensuring children learn the importance of friendship, community spirit and courage in facing adversity. It’s shore to be a winner!