The SpongeBob Musical reviews

Reviews have dropped for the new UK tour of The SpongeBob Musical – what did the critics make of it?

The new production opened at Southampton Mayflower Theatre in Aoril and is currently running in London as part of a 2023 tour.

Based on the iconic TV series, The SpongeBob Musical features songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I and more.

The cast features Lewis Cornay as SpongeBob, Irfan Damani as Patrick, Chrissie Bhima as Sandy and Richard J Hunt as Mr Krabs with Divina de Campo as Sheldon J. Plankton and Gareth Gates as Squidward (at select venues).

The SpongeBob Musical reviews

The Independent – 4/5
“Did we really need a song-and-dance adaptation of a kids’ cartoon about a nerdy sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea? By the end of the show, I was nodding “yes”, singing along with the theme tune with hundreds of others, and thoroughly won over by its exuberant and contagious positivity.” – Read the full review

WhatsOnStage – 4/5
“Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical is a feast for the eyes and ears while also ensuring children learn the importance of friendship, community spirit and courage in facing adversity. It’s shore to be a winner!” – Read the full review

The Stage – 4/5
“Lewis Cornay’s relentlessly optimistic SpongeBob dominates the show. His voice is a wonder: not only does he hit every ridiculous note thrown at him, but he also manages to keep the strained, throaty SpongeBob voice while doing so.” – Read the full review

BroadwayWorld – 4/5
“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.” – Read the full review

Time Out – 3/5
“What some might read as a bleak satire on the mind prison of capitalism, the makers of this musical adaptation deem a peppy story for kids, and they largely succeed in creating a fun, panto-esque show for summer holiday crowds.” – Read the full review

London Evening Standard – 2/5
“The vestigial plot is largely irrelevant to the recycling of tropes from the TV show and a vague message that we should love each other and ourselves. This stage musical isn’t cynical, just thin!” – Read the full review

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world!

The SpongeBob Musical plays across the UK throughout 2023.

The SpongeBob Musical tour dates & tickets »