By Sally Casey

WELL, we learned a lot. Strabismus, crepuscule and cow to name just three words but we also laughed and applauded a whole lot more at a terrific production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which ran for three nights at the Harlow Playhouse.

What marks this musical out is the characters. Not only a very dry and witty Darren Day as vice-principal Douglas Panch as well as the outstanding singing of Niki Evans but it was the patchwork personalities of the contestants that really lit up the playhouse.

Whether it was Janette McManus’s wallpaper stripping voice as Logainne Swartandgrubierre, the stange quirks of Leaf Coneybear played by Ross Cobbold or the stern visage of Marcy Park played by Arina Park (and some fine piano) or the slightly sad Olive Orstrovsky, they all added up to a delightful melange of ticks, intonations and foibles that kept the audience enthralled.

Special mention goes to Tom Mackley whose William Barfee (it is pronounced Barfay) was a mixture between Jerry Lewis and several Simpson’s characters and was very entertaining.

The volunteers from the audience played their part very well and blended seamlessly.

A cracking script, richly entertaining, great lighting, a tight band and very well directed.