Saturday, March 18, 2023

Tom Read Wilson Will Star as Squidward in 'The SpongeBob Musical' UK Tour

Television star Tom Read Wilson will star as Squidward in the UK Premiere of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, joining the previously announced Divina de Campo as Plankton. Tom will play the role at select locations, including Bradford, Manchester, Sheffield, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Leicester and Aberdeen, with tickets on sale now at https://www.spongebobstage.com.


Tom Read Wilson (Squidward) is probably best known as the receptionist on Channel 4's Celebs Go Dating. He studied at Rose Bruford College and the Royal Academy of Music before performing in Sleeping Beauty at Wellingborough Castle Theatre, Alice in Wonderland at Madinat Theatre, Dubai, the UK Tour of Cat in the Hat and in Sweet Revenge at Theatre Royal Windsor.

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL cast also stars Gareth Gates as Squidward (select locations), Divina de Campo (she/her) as Sheldon J. Plankton, Lewis Cornay (he/him) as SpongeBob, Irfan Damani (he/him) as Patrick, Chrissie Bhima (she/her) as Sandy, Richard J Hunt (he/him) as Mr Krabs, Sarah Freer (she/her) as Pearl, Eloise Davies (she/her) as Mrs Puff, Hannah Lowther (she/her) as Karen and Rebecca Lisewski (she/her) as Mayor. They are joined by Sam Beveridge (he/him), Jeremiah Olaleye (he/him), Eleanor Turiansky (she/her), Rhys Batten (he/him) and Reece Kerridge (he/him). Further casting to be announced, including for the role of Squidward.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre will also be hosting a Relaxed Performance of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at 11am on Wednesday 28 June. A Relaxed Performance is specifically designed and adapted for people who find regular performance settings difficult. If you or someone you know are on the Autism Spectrum, has additional or complex needs and/or find sitting in a busy, socially restrained environment difficult and distressing, then a relaxed performance may be of benefit to you. For tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk.

Divina De Campo (Sheldon J. Plankton) is a seasoned British drag queen and singer who was recently crowned runner up on the first Series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Known for her high soprano and four -octave range, Divina has been featured on ITV's The Voice and the BBC's All Together Now. Her critically acclaimed theatre credits include Mary Sunshine in Chicago and most recently her award nominated performance as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Lewis Cornay (SpongeBob) was most recently seen as Amos in Whistle Down The Wind at The Watermill. His West End credits include The Book of Mormon, The King and I, The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. As a writer, Lewis had his debut play Daddy Issues premiere at the Seven Dials Playhouse last year.

Irfan Damani (Patrick Star) was most recently seen in The New Musketeers and The Aliens Who Saved Christmas as part of Trinity Theatre Christmas Rep. His West End credits include Raj in Billionaire Boy at the Garrick Theatre and Father in Ishq the Musical at Sadler's Wells Theatre. On television he has appeared as Saleem in BBC One's EastEnders and on film in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.

Chrissie Bhima (Sandy) graduated from ArtsEd in 2022. Her theatre credits include Candy in Whistle Down The Wind at The Watermill, Jennifer in The Witches of Eastwick in Concert at the Sondheim Theatre and Avatar in Lift at the Southwark Playhouse.

Richard J Hunt (Mr Krabs) most recently appeared as Mudge in Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Southbank Centre. His other theatrical credits include Bromance The Dudesical at The Other Palace, the UK and European Tour of Jesus Christmas Superstar, Mack and Mabel at the Southwark Playhouse, Me and My Girl at the London Palladium and the UK and European Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. On television he has been seen BBC2's Beautiful People, RTE's The Late Late Show and Channel 4's Teachers.

Sarah Freer (Pearl) has recently appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk at Sheffield Lyceum as well as in the UK Tour of Zog and the Flying Doctors. She has also appeared in The Color Purple at Cadogan Hall.

Eloise Davies' (Mrs Puff) West End credits include 42 Balloons at the Vaudeville Theatre, Grease at the Dominion Theatre, Bonnie & Clyde in Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Taboo 10th Anniversary at The London Palladium, Be More Chill at The Other Palace, and West End Heroes at the Dominion Theatre.

Hannah Lowther (Karen) has most recently appeared in the West End concerts for Emojiland at the Garrick Theatre and Kinky Boots at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She has also appeared in Millennials in The Other Palace Studio and Heathers The Musical at The Other Palace where she made history as the first actress to play all three Heathers in Heathers The Musical and went on to win three West End Wilma Awards including Best Understudy.

Rebecca Lisewski (Mayor) most recently appeared in the West End in Strictly Ballroom at the Piccadilly Theatre. Her other West End credits include Mamma Mia! And Carousel. She has also appeared in the UK Tours of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Tango Moderno, The Last Tango, and Starlight Express.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? SpongeBob SquarePants! Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show!

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world!

With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! An exciting new production featuring irresistible characters, magical choreography and dazzling costumes; this deep-sea pearl of a show is really set to make a splash with audiences young and old as the must-see musical of 2023. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL.

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, with book by Kyle Jarrow and featuring original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T's, They Might Be Giants and T.I. and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt. Musical production conceived by Tina Landau.

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL will be directed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson (she/her), with choreographer Fabian Aloise (he / him), designer Steve Howell (he/him), Musical Supervisor Mark Crossland (he/him), Musical Director Marcus Carter-Adams (he/him), Costume Designer Sarah Mercade (she / her), Lighting and Video Designer Ben Bull (he/him), Sound Designer Ben Harrison (he/him), Costume and Wig Supervisor Megan Rarity (she/her), Associate Choreographer Paris Green (she/her) and Casting Director Harry Blumenau Casting (CDG) (he / him). Selladoor Worldwide General Management.

©2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Created by Stephen Hillenburg.

Tickets for THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL are available now at https://www.spongebobstage.com.

Follow The SpongeBob Musical on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | #SpongeBobUKTour

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

Paramount+ UK & Ireland is HERE! Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!


Original source: BroadwayWorld UK.

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Hunter Price Announces 'Paw Patrol' Partnership

Hunter Price International has signed with Paramount Consumer Products UK to develop an extensive range of consumer products based on the beloved CG-animated series Paw Patrol.


The partnership will see Hunter Price create a wide-ranging product collection for Paw Patrol, the leading pre-school brand created by Spin Master Entertainment and airing on Nick Jr and Milkshake! The product collection will have a key focus on creative play, an area the business has grown significantly and has become well recognised for within the industry.

Alongside a selection of arts & crafts and activity items launching in 2023, a range of outdoor games and activity lines will also form part of Hunter Price’s first Paw Patrol collection.

The toys and activities category is one of the three core divisions for Hunter Price, alongside stationery, arts & craft and home & lifestyle; as part of its ambitious growth strategy, the business has been signing some of the biggest brands in licensing this year, more of which will be announced in the coming months.

Speaking about the Paw Patrol deal, toys & activities sales director, Richard Belford, explained: “As a business, we’ve carved out clear focuses and identified key growth product categories within the sector. We’re combining this with our high-level expertise and market knowledge, to sign the right strategic partnerships, which naturally complement the products we excel in as a business.”

“We’re very experienced within this market, we’re playing to our strengths and investing in brands we believe in and know we have the passion and creativity to deliver something different and engaging for the UK consumer. We’ve had some really exciting meetings so far and we can’t wait for everyone to see how Hunter Price brings ithis Paw Patrol partnership to life in 2023,” he added.

Venetia Davie, vice president, Consumer Products UK & Ireland at Paramount, commented: “Paramount is pleased to be working closely with Hunter Price to develop and extend our consumer play experiences. The new products will allow consumers to express their fandom in new ways through our expanding collection of licensed toys. We can’t wait to see these fresh and innovative Paw Patrol products come to life through this new partnership.”

For all the latest updates, follow @HunterPriceInternational on Instagram, LinkedIn or visit www.HunterPrice.co.uk.

Paramount+ UK & Ireland is HERE! Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!

Paramount+ is also available with Sky Cinema at no extra cost.


Original source: Toy World Magazine.

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STA Launches New 'PAW Patrol' Swimming Awards Series

The Swimming Teachers Association has teamed up with pre-school brand Paw Patrol in a three-year partnership to reward young swimmers.

PAW Patrol Swim Awards Series

To launch the partnership, STA, inspired by Paw Patrol’s values of “empowering little kids to believe they can do big things”, has created a new range of Paw Patrol branded swimming awards for children aged 2-6 years based on the animated series created by Spin Master Entertainment, which airs on Nick Jr.

The new collectible range of swimming awards features the six main pups from Paw Patrol – Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Zuma and Rocky – with each focusing on one of the pup’s characteristics and their individual catch phrases from the TV show.

For example, Chase the German Shepherd is an athletic natural leader that likes to take charge, and teachers can reward this certificate to youngsters who have been ‘Smart & On the Case like Chase’ in their swimming lessons. Certificates can be given to children who have performed a safe entry and exit, followed the pool rules, or have been a good listener and set a good example in class. The skills list for each of the pup’s awards are endless and are not age or ability restrictive, making them a great way to keep learners of all swimming levels motivated.

The six awards in the series, which are supported by official Paw Patrol branded certificates and a contrasting shield-shaped woven badge (to reflect the shield on each of the pup’s collars), are: I’m Smart & On the Case like Chase!; I’m Brave & Fired Up like Marshall – I’m Ok!; I’m Helpful & On the Double like Rubble!; I’m Determined like Skye – Pup’s Away!; I’m Playful like Zuma – Ready, Set, Get Wet!; and I’m Pawsitive Like Rocky – Don’t Lose it, Reuse it!

The flexible, skills-based scheme means the certificates can also be awarded multiple times to reward children for specific single achievements and milestones (or the teacher’s own choice), all while giving them the opportunity to collect all six Paw Patrol awards. As a standalone swimming awards programme, the Paw Patrol certificates and badges can be used to support all learn-to-swim programmes, not just STA.

Zoe Cooper, STA’s commercial director, said it was one of STA’s biggest brand partnerships to date, adding: “The new skills-based awards series gives us all a fantastic way to motivate young swimmers in their lessons, as they will know they have the opportunity to be rewarded with an official  certificate with their favourite Paw Patrol character on it – and we know they will want to collect all six awards.”

She continued: “We love the empowering ethos behind the Paw Patrol brand and the positivity of the inclusive messages portrayed by the pups, who say 'no job is too big, no pup is too small' – we believe this ties perfectly with the message we want to give children of all abilities, to help motivate them in a swimming lesson environment and reward them for their individual endeavours, no matter how big or small they may be."

Zoe added that more Paw Patrol projects were being planned to coincide with the launch of the new Aqua Pups series, the upcoming film Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie and the brand’s 10th anniversary.

“We also have even more PAWSOME projects planned to coincide with the launch of the new Aqua Pups series, the upcoming film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie and the brand’s 10th anniversary,” confirmed Zoe.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Swimming Teachers’ Association as we continue to celebrate 10 years of PAW Patrol," said Venetia Davie, Vice President, Consumer Products, UK & Ireland at Paramount. "We hope the all-new PAW Patrol inspired swimming awards will encourage, develop and reward young swimmers from all backgrounds as well as helping them to build water confidence that lasts a lifetime."

Be the first to find out about STA’s NEW! Paw Patrol® Swim Awards series - register your interest at sta.co.uk!

Paramount+ UK & Ireland is HERE! Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!

Paramount+ is also available with Sky Cinema at no extra cost.


Original source: Licensing.biz.

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Nickelodeon Land UK at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Announces Summer 2023 Highlights

Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach has announced some of the amazing events Team Nick has planned for guests to make summer 2023 the PAWsomeness, Sponginess and Slimiest summer ever!


The PAW Patrol is on a roll(er coaster)! Nickelodeon Land's summer highlights kick off with PAW Patrol Month during June 2023, while SpongeBob Month arrives in July for the first time ever, before making way for the Summer of Slime in August!

The news was announced during Blackpool Pleasure Beach's 2023 launch event.

Plans for the 2023 season at Nickelodeon Land are revealed at the launch event (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)

Blackpool Pleasure Beach opens for its 2023 season on Saturday 18th March 2023. For more information, visit https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com. One highly anticipated highlight is the return of Valhalla. Following a £4 million investment, the UK’s wettest ride is set to reopen for technical rehearsals this April with some exciting new features. The park's classic wooden coaster Big Dipper will also be celebrating its centenary in 2023.

Paramount+ UK & Ireland is HERE! Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!

Paramount+ is also available with Sky Cinema at no extra cost.


Original source: LancsLive.

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Puma and Nickelodeon Collaborate on New SpongeBob Collection

Update (3/18) - Official press release:

PUMA × SPONGEBOB

New Collaboration with PUMA and SpongeBob SquarePants is a Jellyfishing Adventure


PUMA is teaming up with the one and only SpongeBob SquarePants for a new collection of playful classics, created in collaboration with the beloved Nickelodeon series and Paramount Consumer Products. The collaboration channels floral prints and sunny, summery colors throughout, while select pieces from the PUMA x SpongeBob SquarePants collection feature SpongeBob and Patrick on a jellyfishing adventure.

Featuring designs for both adults and kids, the collection includes a special suite of PUMA sneakers paying homage to SpongeBob and Patrick. Footwear highlights include the Suede, Slipstream, RS-Slide, Future Rider, and others that are elevated with SpongeBob detailing, while Patrick Star gets his own version of the Rider FV. 

The footwear component is complemented by apparel silhouettes like the T7 tracksuit, plus essentials like T-shirts and hoodies. Lastly, accessories are included in the form of a bucket hat and utility pouch, rounding out a collection that is made for Bikini Bottom and beyond.

PUMA x SpongeBob SquarePants collection is available starting March 17, 2023 from PUMA.com, PUMA stores, and select accounts worldwide with retail prices ranging from $20 to $100.

#PUMAxSPONGEBOB























PUMA

PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf, and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 18,300 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.

About Paramount Consumer Products

Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and Showtime. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth, and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchise. Additionally, Paramount Consumer Products oversees the online direct-to-consumer business for CBS and Showtime programming merchandise, as well as standalone branded e-commerce websites for Star Trek, SpongeBob, South Park, and MTV.

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Original post:

Puma, the German sportswear giant, is reconnecting with Nickelodeon's iconic animated comedy series, SpongeBob SquarePants, to launch a brand-new collection offering apparel, accessories and footwear lines. The entire collection is inspired by three of the main characters of the show, SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star, and SpongeBob's neighbor and co-worker, Squidward Tentacles.