I was recently asked by an eleven-year-old to spell, peripatetic. P-E-R-I-P-A-T-E-T-I-C. Thankfully
the letters fell from my lips in the correct order, and there was no bell indicating a mistake or worse, failure!
This is the simple premise of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a
joyous, technicolor® musical celebration of American spelling bees, where,
‘an eclectic group of six mid-pubescent children vie for the spelling
championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching
stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of
words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming
"ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.’
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| Elizabeth Chadwick |
Directed
and choreographed by Adam
Haigh with great flair in the small, but beautifully, formed Drayton Arms
theatre, Spelling Bee has a wonderfully multi-talented ensemble, all with
multi-coloured wigs – particularly brave during the stifling heat of last weekend!
A standout performance from Elizabeth
Chadwick (also producing) as Rona Lisa Peretti who holds the entire bee
together, as well as the production. I must mention she did an expert job in
recruiting four audience members to join the fun and extracting their resumes
which were used brilliantly throughout!
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| Aaron Jenson |
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| T J Lloyd |
Aaron Jenson as Chip Tolentino,
last year’s winner of the bee, was very funny having problems with rushes of
blood – not to his brain – and his obsession with an audience member in the
second row. TJ Lloyd as Barfee worked his yellow socks off - in difficult
conditions – throughout, but, in reality,
the success of this entire show rests with the strength of the ensemble, all of
which sings and dances wonderfully and deserves the highest, unreserved praise.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the
perfect show for a joyous summer night out, and
this is a production that unashamedly deserves - and tirelessly works for - its
success. It spells success, go – G-O!
Until 16 June 2018 at Drayton Arms Pub
Theatre
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