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Post by iamamazing on Nov 2, 2022 23:22:34 GMT
Just booked this for cardiff I am really looking forward to this one :-D
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Post by evilmat360 on Nov 3, 2022 11:43:58 GMT
Grabbed a front row stalls ticket for the Wednesday opening night at Southampton which is the first venue. Would probably have been sensible to book a matinee but there are late trains back to London and it's a 7pm start so should be able to get back to Kent okay.... Only five performances including two matinees (Thursday and Saturday). Friday not on sale, possibly a press night ? It's Easter week when it's in Southampton, so assuming they aren't doing a performance on Good Friday.
Also wanting to book Southampton but relying on the trains to get there, so going to have to wait until they finalise the engineering works.
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Post by bonnotonno on Dec 4, 2022 22:10:08 GMT
has the creative team been announced for this yet?
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Dec 4, 2022 22:22:20 GMT
has the creative team been announced for this yet? I’ve been keeping a close eye on this and they haven’t announced anything. It’s a Selladoor production, but I haven’t seen any kind of mention of a director or other director team yet I do know someone in the cast and apparently they have a NDA until January so idk if that’s when they’ll make the casting announcement or if it’ll be slightly earlier
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 5, 2022 12:27:14 GMT
Selladoor fills me with dread then...
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Post by djdan14 on Jan 25, 2023 18:58:52 GMT
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Post by djdan14 on Jan 26, 2023 10:40:18 GMT
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 26, 2023 11:21:21 GMT
Here's the cast list (they haven't listed covers and seemingly many ensemble yet though)
Lewis Cornay - Spongebob Gareth Gates - Squidward Divina De Campo - Plankton Irfan Damani - Patrick Star Chrissie Bhima - Sandy Richard J Hunt - Mr Krabs (and first cover Patrick) Sarah Freer - Pearl Krabs Eloise Davies - Mrs Puff Hannah Lowther - Karen the Computer Rebecca Lisewski - The Mayor Eleanor Turiansky - Electric Skate Sam Beveridge Jeremiah Olaleye Rhys Batten Reece Kerridge
Director - Tara Overfield Wilkinson Choreographer - Favian Aloise Designer - Steve Howell Music Supervisor - Mark Crossland Music Director - Marcus Carter-Adams Costume Designer - Sarah Mercade Lighting and Video - Ben Bull Sound Designer - Ben Harrison Costume and Wigs - Megan Rarity Associate Choreographer - Paris Green Casting Director - Harry Blumenau
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 26, 2023 11:24:33 GMT
They seem to have gone with star casting for both Squidward and Plankton (both are getting top billing on the website, although they're each performing at 'selected venues' but their understudies haven't been mentioned) which is an interesting choice.
The only thing I'm apprehensive about is Gareth Gates as Squidward. He doesn't seem to have the right physicality, and I don't know if he can tap dance. I hope I can be proved wrong though!
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Post by alece10 on Jan 26, 2023 11:30:21 GMT
Initially excited when I saw Gareth Gates was in it then I noticed that he isn't performing in half the locations including London so that is disappointing. Will probably still go to see it as it sounds a lot of fun and quite liked the music.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 26, 2023 12:28:17 GMT
Is there any point isn seeing this if I have never seen the tv show? Will it go right over my head?
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Post by danb on Jan 26, 2023 12:39:15 GMT
Ace to see that the ‘voice of control’ is …in control. Tara (Overfield) Wilkinson was part of so many of our theatrical mainstays in the 90’s. Starlight, SNF and Tommy to name but three. Some bizarro casting but if it gets bums on seats…
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Post by sph on Jan 26, 2023 12:41:35 GMT
Well, I'm surprised by Gates' casting and I'm surprised he's not doing most of the venues! Seems an odd choice on both counts.
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Post by alece10 on Jan 26, 2023 12:45:06 GMT
Is there any point isn seeing this if I have never seen the tv show? Will it go right over my head? I've never seen it either. I'm guessing it's a kids programme so don't know if it's a kids musical or for anyone
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Post by danb on Jan 26, 2023 12:52:07 GMT
It’s classic madcap kids cartoon with adult layers.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 26, 2023 13:09:12 GMT
*£45 goes back in handbag*
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Post by Sam on Jan 26, 2023 13:24:49 GMT
There is a proshot if you're not sure.
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Post by danb on Jan 26, 2023 13:37:58 GMT
*£45 goes back in handbag* There are (many) better things to do with £45 imho (and five minutes into the pro-shot you’ll know if it’s for you or not.)
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 26, 2023 13:48:09 GMT
Is there any point isn seeing this if I have never seen the tv show? Will it go right over my head? Trust me, you really don't have to be a fan of the cartoon to enjoy the musical. There are a few references to famous jokes from the show ("is mayonaise an instrument?" etc.) but they are easter eggs for the fans rather than things you need to get to enjoy the show. The musical has a completely original story from any of the tv series or movies, so all you really need is a general idea of who the main characters are (which I'm sure most people know through pop-culture osmosis), but even then the opening number does introductions so even going in cold you'll pick it up quickly. I don't know if it'll change at all, but the Broadway version is family friendly but not a 'kids show' (it's surprisingly emotionally mature, covers things like why racism and anti-science mindsets damages communities. Also the whole 'there's a potential world ending emergency, everyone must stay inside' subplot will be VERY interesting to see post-COVID.) It is kid friendly, but you're not going to be given a theme park mascot show that's very 'hello kids!' Check out the Pro-Shot filmed in Plymouth for a better idea about the overall show. The opening number is the most cartoon-like it gets (the actors purposefully play up their voices to show who they are for people expecting the cartoon, before settling into their own voices for the characters) so don't judge it on the first song alone. I am an extreme defender of this show, if you couldn't tell. Don't judge it as a baby show, it very much isn't. The original director Tina Landau made it very creative visually, so all the costumes invoke the cartoon without being mascot costumes. Also there are some very good songs.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jan 26, 2023 13:49:15 GMT
Quite excited about this! Shame Gareth Gates isn't doing the London stop, but maybe I'll find my way to one of the tour stops where he will be on.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 26, 2023 13:51:41 GMT
Casting update (I WISH WhatsOnStage would put ensemble roles and understudies on the cast announcement page so we wouldn't have to go digging):
Eloise Davies as Mrs Puff is also cover Spongebob and Sandy. Very excited to see a female Spongebob understudy (although a little bit unsure about a white woman understudying Sandy, which is purposefully written for a black woman)
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 26, 2023 18:00:21 GMT
I dipped my toe into a bucket of slime and watched the first 15 minutes. I hated it. But I was kind of fascinated by it.
So the handbag is ajar.
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Post by intoanewlife on Jan 26, 2023 18:06:38 GMT
I dipped my toe into a bucket of slime and watched the first 15 minutes. I hated it. But I was kind of fascinated by it. So the handbag is ajar. I saw it on Broadway knowing nothing about it and had never seen the cartoon. I really enjoyed it and there was a couple of amazingly staged big show stopping numbers in it with some very impressive dancing. But I don't know if it'd be as enjoyable in a paired down production as the staging and theatre re-design played a big part in it and I don't think I'd ever see it again, but it's a fun night out for sure and a very traditional big musical.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 26, 2023 18:21:39 GMT
I’m thinking it might be in the same category as Shrek which I never saw the film of but really like the musical.
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Post by jgblunners on Jan 26, 2023 18:21:53 GMT
I think that Tina Landau’s vision was a big part of what made the Broadway production work so well. I’m sceptical that this UK team will be able to find the same alchemy, but I’ll hold judgment until I’ve seen it. De Campo as Plankton is good (or at least interesting) casting, Gareth Gates as Squidward not so much…
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 26, 2023 18:43:41 GMT
I think that Tina Landau’s vision was a big part of what made the Broadway production work so well. I’m sceptical that this UK team will be able to find the same alchemy, but I’ll hold judgment until I’ve seen it. De Campo as Plankton is good (or at least interesting) casting, Gareth Gates as Squidward not so much… Completely agree. I haven't seen Gareth Gates in anything, but with Squidward you kind of need to have a character actor (so you have the physicality and voice, while also being a good dancer) and Gareth doesn't seem to have that vibe - he seems more like a leading man / secondary romantic lead. I hope it isn't just a random star-casting they're banking on for tickets rather than being accurate to the role.
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Post by intoanewlife on Jan 26, 2023 18:45:55 GMT
I think that Tina Landau’s vision was a big part of what made the Broadway production work so well. I’m sceptical that this UK team will be able to find the same alchemy, but I’ll hold judgment until I’ve seen it. De Campo as Plankton is good (or at least interesting) casting, Gareth Gates as Squidward not so much… Completely agree. I haven't seen Gareth Gates in anything, but with Squidward you kind of need to have a character actor (so you have the physicality and voice, while also being a good dancer) and Gareth doesn't seem to have that vibe - he seems more like a leading man / secondary romantic lead. I hope it isn't just a random star-casting they're banking on for tickets rather than being accurate to the role. Gareth Gates is a star?
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Post by longinthetooth on Jan 26, 2023 19:02:15 GMT
So for all the venues that Gareth Gates is missing, do we think they will be announcing another actor, or will the understudy take over the role?
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 26, 2023 19:11:46 GMT
So for all the venues that Gareth Gates is missing, do we think they will be announcing another actor, or will the understudy take over the role? Some of the cast have mentioned they're also understudying certain roles in their celebration posts, but the full list isn't out yet. Here's what I've picked up so far: Richard J Hunt - Mr Krabs / 1st Cover Patrick Star Reece Kerridge - Old Man Jenkins / 1st Cover Spongebob / 2nd Cover Plankton Eloise Davies - Mrs Puff / Cover Spongebob and Sandy Hannah Lowther - Karen / Cover Pearl and Sandy And Rhys Batten is a swing They don't seem to have announced any ensemble or other swings (Rhys is the dance captain so was mentioned). Also there are still named characters that haven't been announced (Perch Perkins and Larry the Lobster, who are both secondary characters with dialogue and singing)
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Post by alece10 on Jan 26, 2023 22:25:54 GMT
Completely agree. I haven't seen Gareth Gates in anything, but with Squidward you kind of need to have a character actor (so you have the physicality and voice, while also being a good dancer) and Gareth doesn't seem to have that vibe - he seems more like a leading man / secondary romantic lead. I hope it isn't just a random star-casting they're banking on for tickets rather than being accurate to the role. Gareth Gates is a star? Might depend on your age as, for me, Gareth Gates is a star but personally I've never ever heard of Divina Di Campo who others will have heard of and she maybe is a star.
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