Book and Lyrics by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn
Directed by Pacian Clyaton and James Dawound
Musical Direction from Eric Rogers
Review by Florence Carr-Jones
This production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was a vibrant, slick, and well-executed rendition of the beloved musical. The cast’s energy was nothing short of infectious, bringing the quirky characters to life with enthusiasm and charm.
One of the show’s standout features was the hilarious ad-libs with the guest spellers, which injected an extra layer of spontaneity and fun into the performance. The cast handled these moments with wit and ease, making the audience feel like a part of the Bee.
Andrew Gardiner’s portrayal of William Barfée was a standout, delivering continuous laughs with his apt comedic timing and unique characterisation. Ashleigh More, as Olive Ostrovsky, delivered an emotionally resonant performance, especially in ‘The I Love You Song.’ She was perfectly complemented by Kayleigh O’Grady, who portrayed her mother with equal poignancy. Together, they created a truly beautiful and heartfelt moment that stood out amid the more chaotic and comedic scenes of the show.
While the production had many strengths, the musical accompaniment could have benefited from a fuller sound. With just a keyboard and drums, there were moments when the music felt thin and lacked the depth that a larger band could have provided. However, given the constraints of a fringe setting, this can be somewhat overlooked.
The use of stage space and movement, while effective, could have been more varied. At times, the choreography felt limited and could have used more complexity to match the dynamic energy of the performances. This production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was a truly enjoyable experience, elevated by strong performances and a great sense of humour.
Elevated by Strong Performances
The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee ran at theSpace@Niddry Street
Running time: One hour and fifty minutes without interval
Photo credit – Andrew Morris
Review by Florence Carr-Jones (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Florence recently graduated with a degree in History from the University of Edinburgh, where her passion for theatre often took precedence over her academic studies. During her time at university, she was actively involved in many theatre societies, but her deep passion was with Theatre Paradok, the experimental theatre society, where she served as president this past year. She is the director and writer of her own company, Fools and Thieves, and will begin a Master’s in Drama Directing at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School this September. Florence is particularly fascinated by interdisciplinary approaches to theatre and how the medium can evolve in the contemporary world.
