Theatre Review: SpongeBob SquarePants – The Regent, Hanley

IF BOFFINS with scratchy beards polled seven-year-olds to discover the funniest word in the world, it's a fair bet that 'pants' would be a frontrunner.

If it didn't win, it would certainly be vying for a top spot alongside 'bottom'.

So, it comes as no surprise that a zany cartoon character called SpongeBob Squarepants, who happens to live in Bikini Bottom, is a massive hit with anyone under the age of 10.

Actually, who are we kidding? He's a massive hit with most grown ups, too. Like The Simpsons before him, Bob has been making both old and young laugh since his creation by marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg 10 years ago.

For those who aren't in the know, SpongeBob SquarePants is a sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

SpongeBob works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, a fast-food restaurant, owned by the money-hungry Mr Krabs.

Sheldon Plankton is Mr Krabs's arch enemy who owns a low-rank fast-food restaurant called the Chum Bucket across the street.

The Chum Bucket has almost never had a customer, and Plankton spends his time plotting to steal the recipe for Mr Krabs's Krabby Patty burgers.

See, it all makes perfect sense.

Madcap and full of slapstick and daft humour it may be, but to write Spongebob off as mere child's play would be doing it a major disservice.

There has always been plenty for the older fan and, to underline the point, in 2007, the exalted TIME magazine named it as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

This is the reason why there were just as many eager adults as children in the Regent last night for The Sponge Who Could Fly.

The magical set transports the audience to SpongeBob's underwater world as he persists in achieving his dream of 'flying' with the Jellyfish.

The Sentinel made sure the show's broad appeal was fully tested by bringing along seven-year-old Dylan Brayford and his godfather, 34-year-old James Humphreys, from Nantwich.

And they weren't disappointed. The fast-paced tale of courage and dreams kept both entertained with plenty of hilarious moments for the children and a sprinkle of gags which flew over younger fans' heads but brought a wry smile to mums and dads' faces.

While it never quite matched the sophistication of the TV show it was still a fun-filled, bright and enjoyable romp.

But Dylan summed it up brilliantly in far fewer words than the 450 it has taken this review: "It was good, but not quite as good as the TV show."

You can always trust seven-year-olds to tell it like it is.

The Sponge Who Could Fly is at The Regent until Sunday. Call 0870 060 6649 for tickets.

Chris Blackhurst