Review: THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, Birmingham Hippodrome

The theme song to Nickelodeon's super-popular animated series SpongeBob SquarePants encourages you to tune in "if nautical nonsense be something you wish", and nautical nonsense is definitely what's on offer in this madcap but good-natured musical. Featuring all of Stephen Hillenburg's much-loved cartoon characters, and with songs by a huge array of rock and pop artists, The SpongeBob Musical was a success on Broadway, and is now bringing its zany vibes to UK stages.

While episodes of the TV show are only a few minutes long, this is a full-length musical coming in at over two hours, so it needs a big plot, and it certainly has one. A normal day in SpongeBob's undersea home of Bikini Bottom is shattered when nearby volcano Mount Humongous threatens to erupt and destroy the entire town. With most of the town panicking, and evil villain Sheldon J. Plankton plotting to use the situation for his own advantage, it's down to everyone's favourite sea sponge and his friends to save the day.

Lewis Cornay stars as our hero, and his infectious energy and impressive vocals make him a force to be reckoned with. He makes it easy to buy into the idea that SpongeBob's optimism and determination are enough to save Bikini Bottom.

Cornay is ably supported by an endearing Irfan Damani as Patrick Star (a starfish, for the uninitiated) and Chrissie Bhima who shines as Sandy Cheeks, the science-loving squirrel. Divina De Campo is brilliantly sneering as Plankton, the single-celled organism you love to hate, and De Campo displays some enviable rap skills as well as perfect comic timing. It's a shame that we don't get to see more of Gareth Gates as the dour, eternally unimpressed Squidward, but his Act Two number "I'm Not A Loser" is worth the wait.

The songs are a bit of a mishmash of styles, due to the vast range of contributors ranging from John Legend to The Flaming Lips, and not all of them hit the spot. Thankfully there are enough strong numbers, like The Plain White T's bouncy ode to friendship "BFF", and the cast maintains the energy even in the weaker songs.

The whole production is bold and bright, with Steve Howell's set design framed by multicoloured bubbles and flanked by recreations of Bikini Bottom's duelling fast food joints, The Krusty Krab and Chum Bucket, which also house video screens to display news reports of the town's impending doom. Sarah Mercadé's costumes are just as fun, from SpongeBob's bubble-covered shirt to Sandy Cheeks' spacesuit-style ensemble that perfectly echoes that of her cartoon counterpart.

Fans of the TV show will be happy to see a whole host of details from the TV show recreated on stage, from the presence of Gary the meowing sea snail, to Patrick's love for mayonnaise. Audiences who aren't familiar with the cartoon are unlikely to struggle too much though, as the plot is easy to follow and the characters are instantly likable.

This is a show that's aimed at kids, with plenty of slapstick and broad comedy, but there are enough witty lyrics and smart moments in Kyle Jarrow's book to appeal to adults too. At its heart this is big, splashy family fun with a positive message, and audiences of all ages will leave smiling - and humming that theme tune.

The SpongeBob Musical at Birmingham Hippodrome until 15 April, then touring the UK and Ireland

Photo Credit: Mark Senior

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