GARETH GATES TALKS SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL

The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical, currently on it's UK Tour, comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal in September.

Gareth Gates, pop idol runner up, is set to play the role of 'Squidward'. When asked if he enjoys playing Squidward, and if he is anything like the character, Gates responded with:

"He is absolutely nothing like me, but that’s why I love playing the role so much. We

are each so different in our outlook on life that escaping into his character is a really

enjoyable change!

What’s really been fun about him is that he tap-dances, and I’ve never tapped in my

life! I had three lessons before rehearsal started, and so they threw me straight in the

deep end, pardon the pun. However, I’m really thrilled to have learnt a brand-new

skill.

The Costumes in the show were designed by Sarah Mercade, Each one looking like well-known characters from the popular animated TV Show 'Spongebob Squarepants'.

Gates speaks about his costume:

"My costume looks amazing, and I seem to have acquired two extra legs! As if tap dancing with two wasn’t hard enough, now I have another pair to contend with.

What’s so brilliant about the costumes in SpongeBob are that they’re so vibrant and

bright and really catch your eye. We are the citizens of Bikini Bottom, as you know

and love them, but with a bit of a twist for the stage."

When asked to describe the show's plot Gates responded with:

"Essentially, the story is about a community coming together. A volcano under the sea

is about to erupt and completely destroy the town of Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob is the

only citizen who remains optimistic about the survival of their little community. In the

face of adversity, the people of Bikini Bottom work together to try and save the day.

It’s not just a feel-good show, but also heart-warming and touching and will 100%

appeal to both kids and adults alike."

Gates then spoke about what he loves about the show, he says "There are two elements of the show that I absolutely love. The first is the music,

written by so many huge artists, they’re all so catchy. The second is the script - it’s so

funny and I think that’s definitely what will appeal to the adults, and people who grew

up loving SpongeBob."

With music written by many musical icons such as Cyndi Lauper and David Bowie, There is a song in this musical for everybody and Gates said:

"The line up of composers for this show is mind-blowing! My favourite song to

perform is my big number at the end of act two. It’s called ‘I’m Not a Loser’. It’s very

typical of a Broadway hit, think 42nd Street meets Chicago! And I get to be the centre

of it all!"

Talking about his career going from Pop Idol to Theatre - Gates says:

"The first thing I ever did was perform in The King and I at the Alhambra Theatre in

Bradford at the age of five. And then, at the age of eight, I played a leading role in a

school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which is when

I discovered I could sing.

Then in 2009, I had an audition with Andrew Lloyd Webber himself who offered me

the leading role of Joseph in the West End. This then led onto me playing Marius in

the brand-new 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables, then the same role in the West

End version alongside Samantha Barks and Lucie Jones. I’ve also been lucky

enough to tour the UK in Footloose and Legally Blonde. It’s been an incredible

journey throughout my whole life really, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities.

The transition from pop music to theatre was actually quite natural as this is where it

all really began for me."

This UK Touring production has been on the road since March 2023, and Gates said

"I absolutely love touring. You get to take this piece of work that you have worked so

hard on, with such a wonderful team of people and introduce it to lots of different

parts of the country."

Gareth Gates will be performing in Spongebob the Musical in September, he says:

"The show really is for the entire family. The vibrant aesthetics of the show really will

appeal to the kids as well as it’s infectious energy. Whilst the music and scripts will

really draw in all of the adults in the audience, especially if you loved SpongeBob

when you were younger!"

The SpongeBob Musical plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 5 – Sat 9 Sep

2023. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal

Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

ROBBIE DAVIES | ROBBIE'S BACKSTAGE BANTS