BLOC buzzing to stage spelling bee

IT’S time to learn some big words and spell them out, as BLOC Music Theatre stages their latest musical comedy production at Mount Rowan Theatre.

Over seven performances from Friday 22 September to Sunday 1 October, the company’s local actors will bring the sixth graders of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to life.

Director Oscar Wilson said the show’s narrative is unlike anything usually seen in theatre.

“It spotlights the different people in the spelling bee, and over the course of it, as they get knocked out, the audience experiences their experiences,” he said.

“It’s a funny, hilarious show, written to remain topical. Some of the script is left open to bring references into the show that are relevant to the time and place it’s being performed.”

Wilson said the production is always fresh, not only because of its flexibility, but because of its incorporation of audience volunteers.

“We have six spellers, who are actors, and each show we bring four random people into the first act so they can participate in the spelling bee, and get knocked out,” he said.

Nine people are part of the story as spelling bee competitors, the moderator, word pronouncer, and comfort counsellor.

Friends and family members of the cast have been part of the rehearsal process to ensure the actors could get used to performing with new people every time they step on stage.

Wilson said the musical is accessible and intimate, but not intimidating.

“We encourage the audience to bring along a wide range of people with them,” he said. “It’s a gem of a musical that everyone can enjoy.”

Featured actors include Charli Shalders, Hammond Buckland, Daniel Sully, Caleb Tong, Amber McCarthy, Alyssa Moloney, Prue Faravoni, and Joe Lacey, with musical direction by Rebecca O’Dowd and choral direction by Maxime Montgomery.

Visit spellingbeeballarat.com for tickets.