Yes, there really is a SpongeBob Musical!

Like a lot of people, I grew up watching SpongeBob SquarePants so it was safe to say I was intrigued when I was invited to come and review The SpongeBob Musical at the Wales Millennium Centre. I don’t know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t this…

The story is set in the iconic undersea town of Bikini Bottom and all is well until they discover that a volcano is set to erupt which will destroy the town and everyone in it. SpongeBob and his friends must find a way to not only stop the volcano from erupting but also deal with the heated mob rallying to find someone to blame.

I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to like the show as much as I did. It was silly, goofy, unapologetic fun. It was impossible not to enjoy. Adults and children alike were laughing from start to end. With lively numbers, hilarious quips and brilliant costumes, this show is a joy to watch.

The SpongeBob Musical mirrors the stylings of a pantomime and orchestrated the perfect balance of breaking the fourth wall while still keeping the audience enveloped in the story. Keeping both adults and young children entertained is no easy task, but this show hit the nail on the head. I think the adults definitely enjoyed the sly comments about the Government and the subtle references to the pandemic.

The set design was particularly effective. Heavily inspired by the popular cartoon which amused the children and gave the adults a sense of warm nostalgia. From the huge jellyfish, to the inspiring use of TV screens, Steven Howell did an incredible job. And a special recognition has to go to costume designer Sarah Mercadé, who drew inspiration from the show and used her talents to create brilliantly original, fun costumes. The audience particularly enjoyed Squidward Tentacle’s (portrayed by the inaugural Pop Idol singer Gareth Gates) four-legged costume. The ingenious design to have them moved as his legs did and to appear as if he really had four legs, it had the audience in stitches. Brilliant!

This show had a toe-tapping score, with fun energetic numbers by some pop and rock legends including Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Sara Bareilles, Alex Ebert, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might be Giants, and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. With additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton and music by Tom Kitt, this show had the audience dancing in their seats and singing the whole way home. And the show included something I always love to see: An onstage band! Or “The Electric Skates”. Sam Beveridge, Jeremiah Olaleye and Eleanor Turiansky added something special to the show.

There was no shortage of talent on stage. But a standing-ovation has to go to the iconic Sponge himself! Lewis Cornay as SpongeBob SquarePants was absolutely unbelievable. The energy he brought to the stage was unlike anything I’ve ever seen and he truly captured what makes the characters so beloved, capturing the hearts of the audience. And the Drag superstar, Divina De Campo was sensational as the evil Sheldon Plankton. Divina wowed on stage with her phenomenal voice- I couldn’t believe it!

Irfan Damani as Patrick Star, Chrissie Bhima as Sandy Cheeks, Sarah Freer as Pearl Krabs, Richard J Hunt as Eugene Krabs, Reece Kerridge as Old Man Jenkins, Theo Reece as Larry the Lobster, Rebecca Lisewski as the Mayor, Eloise Davies as Mrs Puff, Hannah Lowther as Karen and swings Rhys Batten and Farirayi, took on these very well-known roles and brought them to life on stage. With such silly shows like this you sometimes forget just how talented these people are and the audience was completely blown away.

This show is the definition of a fun-filled night for the whole family and one you will definitely never forget.

 The SpongeBob Musical will be at the Wales Millennium Centre until the 10^th June and tickets are selling out fast so gets yours now!

For more information you can visit the Wales Millennium Centre website, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

And check out the official The SpongeBob Musical website, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok and Instagram