Hilarity at the Spelling Bee
Tuesday 5 December 2017
Queenswood’s Upper School staged a riotously funny production of the modern classic musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, over four nights at the end of the autumn term.
The show followed the tribulations, triumphs and ‘distractions’ of six adolescents competing in a regional round of the popular National Spelling Bee competition. We met their dysfunctional parents, by turns over-bearing and neglectful, the self-important administrators of the competition, a quintet of bearded lexicographers, a chorus of cheerleaders, and even a Scottish Jesus.
The two casts performed on alternate nights, allowing the opportunity for more girls to take starring roles.
The stage of the Clarissa Farr Theatre became an American middle school gymnasium, with the audience playing the roles of supporters. One of the many highlights of this production was the use of audience participation, with members of staff called up onto the stage each night to face spelling humiliation.
We would like to congratulate everyone involved in this hilarious production, and to thank Queenswood parent Paul Toeman for his stunning photography. If you would like to order prints or download high-resolution copies, visit https://paultoemanphotographers.pixieset.com/queenswoodspellingbeerehearsals2017/ and enter the code 5474 when prompted.
