With an energetic and talented cast of young performers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee operates as a showcase for their remarkable abilities: there is very high-quality singing, solid choreography and dynamic acting, aided by a dramaturgical polish. The musical itself has a few good tunes but doesn’t have the dramatic tension that a spelling contest might have without musical interludes. Indeed, the numbers may well be fine examples of contemporary musical pieces with nods to the genre’s history, but they often feel intrusive and slow down the pace. A great routine concerning the pandemonium of life stands alone as a showstopper, while adding little to the show’s overall impact.

The cast inhabit their slightly stereotyped characters: the neurodiverse boy, the hot-housed Catholic schoolgirl, the one who is not respected by her family; but it’s the ensemble’s passionate performances that make the production hold our attention. Ultimately, however, the score and cast cannot bring much to the work’s book. The characterisation tends towards the lazy and the grand climax is unearned as two characters abruptly reveal mutual attraction, and the jokes about a predatory teacher are uncomfortable. This is nostalgia for a musical past where meaning and depth aren’t important, made to sparkle by a slick production and excellent performers. 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Greenside George Street, until 23 August, 7.45pm; main picture: Alex Brenner.