Two SpongeBob SquarePants musical stars have sent support to a Woodbridge theatre company as it reprises the hit show next month. West End stars Gavin Lee and Reece Kerridge explain why Woodbridge is close to their hearts
West End musical star Reece Kerridge, who played three different parts in the original SpongeBob SquarePants: The musical has become the latest actor to reach out with words of encouragement for a theatre company in Woodbridge. Reece, who grew up in Woodbridge and is now starring in a lead role in the West End’s Priscilla The Party, said he was delighted to see the Company of Four reprising the SpongeBob SquarePants production and had words of encouragement for the cast, saying: ‘Cherish every moment and have the best time embracing the challenges of live theatre, it’s wonderful to hear that SpongeBob SquarePants is being brought to audiences in Suffolk.
‘It’s amazing when you see this cartoon that we know and love coming to life on the stage. The show is colourful, vibrant and an easy watch and I know the cast will love performing it.’
Reece’s support comes after fellow West End and Broadway star Gavin Lee, who was in the original cast of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical in the US reached out to the cast.
Gavin, who first went on stage at the age of eight with the Company of Four and went on to become an Olivier and Tony award-nominated actor, was cast as Squidward Tentacles in the Broadway production, said: ‘The Company of Four has a special place in my heart because it was where I first experienced the buzz of being on stage, developed the confidence to grow as an actor and fostered the foundation I needed to build a career in theatre.’
As the new recruits to the theatre group get set to reprise the show with a junior production they were delighted to hear from Reece, who attended nearby Farlingaye High School and had some inspirational words for young actor Benji Hughes, 12, who will play the part of SpongeBob. He said: ‘Go out there and have the best time, be the most incredible character and enjoy every moment. You will be amazing.
He added: ‘Being part of the touring cast of this show was an incredible experience for me. I played Old Man Jenkins, and I covered the parts of Squidward Tentacles and SpongeBob during a six-week stint in London.
‘I’m now starring as one of the lead roles in Priscilla The Party, a show that is wonderfully immersive and full of incredible talent such as my co-stars Owain Williams and Dakota Starr.
‘But I grew up being part of local amateur dramatic companies. They were my lifeline and how I got into theatre, so this is so important for young people to be able to be involved in.’ Company of Four actor Benji said having support from stars like Reece means the world, adding: ‘We are all working so hard on rehearsals so to get some words of encouragement from Reece Kerridge is really cool. He is so successful and it’s amazing to think that he started out here, in amateur dramatics like me. That inspires me to keep going and do the best job I can.’
Cof4: Spongebob the Musical takes place at Woodbridge Community Centre on June 1 (2pm and 6pm) and June 2 (3pm).
Featured image of Reece Kerridge as SpongeBob (Copyright Reece Kerridge)
What a fabulous amount of talent we have in Woodbridge, Suffolk…being a male and performing is not always easily accepted when young but these guys show that it’s brilliant fun..Well done all and have a great show Benji and company.