The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition
★★★☆☆ Dynamic
The Edinburgh Academy (Venue 70): Wed 5 – Sun 16 Aug 2026
Review by Shuang Ning Tan
Captivate Theatre’s production of The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition at The Edinburgh Academy is a vibrant show about friendship and community when confronted with impending volcanic doom.
SpongeBob Squarepants requires little introduction: he’s the titular protagonist in Nickelodeon’s animated comedy series of nautical nonsense. In this musical adaptation, directed by Linzi Devers, SpongeBob and his fellow Bikini Bottom citizens prepare for the eruption of Mount Humongous. An event which divides the community with its threat of fiery annihilation.
The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition. Pic: Victoria Watson
Energetically performed, although with hints of awkwardness, this is a double cast production with several of the main characters being performed by different actors at each production. Æ saw the second cast, the first cast alternates are detailed below.
In the title role, Muir Tate is a believable SpongeBob SquarePants. Despite some initial stumbling, his portrayal becomes immensely likeable once he settles in. It is well worth the rocky start to see Tate showcase his acting and singing abilities in the introspective (Just A) Simple Sponge.
Charlotte Mather gives a standout performance as Patrick Star. Brimming with energy right off the bat, Mather’s endearingly spirited presence single-handedly livens up the entire stage with her passion.
enthusiasm
Similarly, Isobel MacIver wholeheartedly embraces her role as the cynical Squidward. What she lacks in genuine bitterness she makes up for with great enthusiasm. Nico Young likewise gives an assured performance as Sandy, confidently displaying her character’s inner strength and effortlessly delivering her rapid-fire scientific explanations.
Corbyn Drew Mathieson as Plankton starts off strong as the comically evil villain, whose charisma nonetheless makes him a loveable figure. While he struggles to fully inhibit his role, managing only half-hearted bouts of evil laughter, he demonstrates great potential. By his side is Lilia Condie (as Karen, Plankton’s wife) who takes on her role as an anthropomorphic computer with unselfconscious exuberance, making her just as – if not more – fun to watch than Plankton.
The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition. Pic: Victoria Watson
The rest of the cast also display commendable acting and vocal performances, with slight tenseness which does not detract from the overall experience. From Ted Linton’s macho Larry the Lobster and Joshua Gillespie as SpongeBob’s money-obsessed boss Mr Krabs, to the arrogant Electric Skates celebrity trio (Olivia Patterson, Rowan MacLean and Summer Bates), everyone nails their comedic timing.
Vocals are generally excellent, particularly Corrine Strachan as Mr Krabs’ daughter Pearl, who belts out some genuinely impressive high notes.
Another highlight of the production is its lighting. Stage manager Bridget Nicholson uses colour to great effect, immediately immersing the audience in SpongeBob’s underwater world – even before the show officially begins, creating a dim blue-green lighting shrouded in fog, to simulate a marine environment.
a visual feast of colour
Nicholson also works with Marian McPhillips to adorn the Bikini Bottom citizens with brilliant costumes. Onstage is a visual feast of colour. Among their creative wardrobe choices is the outfit of Sandy, a Texan squirrel wearing a spacesuit: the actor is dressed in all-white clothing (spacesuit) while wearing double buns (squirrel ears).
Yet the set design and choreography do not possess the same stylistic freedom. Scenery is generally restricted to the background, adequate yet unimpressive, with sparsely decorated corals and a minimalistic platform on which to stand. The not-quite-synchronised choreography is also simplistic by necessity, with the large cast packed like sardines on the claustrophobic stage, careful not to bump into anybody else.
Moreover, the sound design leaves much to be desired – perhaps because the crew aren’t yet accustomed to the venue. There are noticeable delays in the audio mixing as the focus shifts between different characters. Eliza Pashley Cormack’s French Narrator suffers most, as her appearances on stage become barely audible at times.
Simultaneously, the musical suffers from excessive loudness, specifically when the cast and ensemble suddenly scream in unison for comedic effect. If you are sensitive to noise, make sure to sit further back.
While this is by no means a flawless production, its fun atmosphere and enjoyable performances bring the heart of SpongeBob SquarePants to life.
Running time: One hour and 10 minutes (no interval).
The Edinburgh Academy (Magnuson Theatre), 42 Henderson Row EH3 5BL (Venue 70).
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 16 August 2026.
Daily: 12.15pm.
Tickets and details: Book here..
The doubled roles are:
Spongebob Squarepants: Rory Picken / Muir Tate
Patrick Star: David Mercieca / Charlotte Mather
Sandy Cheeks: Nico Young / Lucea Brown
Squidward Q. Tentacles: Rowan Jeffcoat / Isobel MacIver
Sheldon Plankton: Brendan Wang / Corbyn Drew Mathieson
Mr Krabs: Joshua Brown / Joshua Gillespie
Pearl Krabs: Gabrielle Hill / Corrine Strachan
Karen The Computer: Eva Sofia Douglas / Lilia Condie
Captivate website: www.captivatetheatre.com.
Facebook: @captivatetheatre
Instagram: @captivatetheatre
TikTok: @captivate_theatre
The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition. Pic: Victoria Watson
ENDS
