SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
SpongeBob Square! “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants!” Are you ready, kids? Aye, Aye Captain. SpongeBob SquarePants comes to the Southbank Centre.
Our friends from New York are in town for a month, combining work and pleasure with their son and Italian au pair in tow. As a little tradition, we always book a family-friendly musical during Kids Week in August. Last year we went to see Wicked together at Apollo Victoria. This year we settled on SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical as their 11 year old son is a big fan.
Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob is a hugely popular American animated series created by the late marine science educator Stephen Hillenburg. My kid sister, now in her early 30s, watched SpongeBob religiously growing up in suburban California. On a rainy afternoon, we make our way to the Southbank Centre for some fun family memories.
SpongeBob and his Aquatic Friends and Foe
Enthusiastic and energetic SpongeBob lives in a submerged pineapple with his pet snail Gary in Bikini Bottom. As a happy-go-lucky “absorbent, yellow, and porous” sponge, SpongeBob works at Krusty Krab restaurant owned by Mr. Krabs. His aquatic friends and acquaintances include his BFF Patrick Star who lives under a rock; co-worker and cynical Squidward Tentacle; and the inventor, creator, and explorer Sandy Cheeks, a squirrel from Texas and lives in an air-filled glass dome. SpongeBob dreams of getting his licence at Mrs. Puff’s boating school but fails. The antagonist of Bikini Bottom includes Plankton and his wife Karen, unsuccessful business owners Chum Bucket.
Breaking News: Volcano Eruption at Bikini Bottom
Citizens of Bikini Bottom wake up to breaking news that Mount Humungous, a nearby volcano, is about to erupt. The news sends the community into a frenzy, in the midst of the usual beef between restaurant rivals of Krusty Krabs and Chum Bucket and a charity concert organised by the aspiring musician Squidward. In the meantime, SpongeBob and his friends Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks hatch a heroic plan using one of Sandy’s ingenious inventions and saves Bikini Bottom from complete destruction. The musical is a story of friendship and community pride, coming together in a time of crisis.
Light-hearted Comedy for the Whole Family
The adaptation was cleverly written embedding hilarious one-liners and easter eggs for the adults. The acting and singing was impressive, pivoting between the character’s tone and voice and the lovely singing. The music was excellent. Little did I know, creative credits were given to John Legend, Panic At the Disco, Sara Barailles, and Cyndi Lauper for original songs written for SpongeBob the Musical. The set is simple with a myriad explosion of colours like the coral reef of Bikini Bottom. All in all, SpongeBob the Musical is a light-hearted and colourful comedy for the whole family. Although not a West End production, for the SpongeBob fan, it is a must ‘sea’ and the kids were ‘happy as a clam.’
BrewDog Waterloo
We wrapped our family fun day out with an early dinner at BrewDog Waterloo. Occupying the old Eurostar terminus now called the Sidings (under platforms 20-24), BrewDog is family (and dog) friendly with a 10ft indoor slide, bowling alley, table tennis, and ice cream truck with a cool industrial interior design. The menu includes burgers, pizzas, salads and a dedicated plant-based vegan menu. A great place with a nice vibe for family functions and large groups.
Happy Summer!
