The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
★★★★☆ Mood-lifter
The Space@ Niddrie St (Venue 9): Mon 12 – Sat 24 Aug 2024
Review by Florence Cruickshanks
Edinburgh-based newcomers C&C Productions ensure that their production of Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a guaranteed audience pleaser.
The action of this show covers the final round of an annual young persons’ spelling competition. Not perhaps a setting apparently offering much in the way of comedic possibilities, but enthusiastic performances, the involvement of some (sympathetically treated) audience participants, a pleasant musical score, and just enough darkness to ensure that the competitors develop as three dimensional entities, create an excellent piece of lunchtime entertainment.
Andrew Gardiner (Barfée) and the company of C&C Productions’ Spelling Bee. Pic: Andrew Morris copy
This is C&C’s first appearance on the Fringe. With a production team comprising Cameron Currie and Helena Cassels (Producers) and James Dawoud and Pacian Clayton (Directors), it is an impressive debut. Further production support is provided by Eric Rogers (Musical Director), Rebecca Kelly (Musical Supervisor), Mick Zijdel (Sound and Lighting Designer) and Peter Milligan (Stage Manager).
Although the concept of a spelling contest may be alien to audiences outside the US, the young cast, playing a range of characters, all of whom have overcome different challenges to reach the final, draw us into their very different worlds.
high standard
Parental pressure, broken homes, personal insecurities are explored – one of the most poignant moment is the singing by Olive (Ashleigh More) and Andrew Gardiner, playing the frequently mispronounced William Barfee, of “I won’t come in second.”
The acting throughout is of a very high standard, with Jack Stewart as title defender Chip Tolentino, Flora Henderson as youngest speller, the politically aware Logainne “Schwartzy” SchwartzandGrubenierre, Nina Barnett as over-achiever Marcy Park and Kirsty Young as Leaf Coneybear who spells words in a trance.
Attempting to keep order are Kayleigh O’Grady as moderator Rona Peretti and Andrew Lodge as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, “in a better place now” as he returns as judge after a five year absence, aided by Benjy Jensen as Mitch Mahoney, the Community Service official comfort counsellor.
Mention should made to the support given by the cast to the traditional four audience participants, allowing them to enter fully into the spirit of the proceedings.
Running time: One hour and 50 minutes (One interval)
The Space@ Niddrie St (Lower Theatre), Niddrie Street EH1 1TH (Venue 9)
Monday 12 August – Saturday 24 August 2024
Mon 12 – Sat 17: 11.15am; Mon 19 – Sat 24: 11.35am
Details and tickets at: Book here
Facebook: @C&C Productions
Instagram: @ccproductions_fringe
The Company of C&C Productions’ Spelling Bee. Pic: Andrew Morris.
ENDS
