From a Pop Idol star dressed as a squid to a RuPaul's Drag Race favourite planning underwater domination, expect lots of nautical nonsense at The SpongeBob Musical. 

The show is at Norwich Theatre Royal on its debut UK tour, following its success on Broadway, and it is based on the hit Nickelodeon cartoon.

While there were many children in the audience, there were also plenty of adults who had come for a splash of nostalgia.

READ MORE: ​PrimEvil returning to Norfolk scarier than ever in 2023 with new horror maze

Norwich Evening News: The cast of The SpongeBob Musical Picture: Mark SeniorThe cast of The SpongeBob Musical Picture: Mark Senior (Image: Mark Senior)

The musical began in a pantomime style with Patchy the Pirate (Sam Beveridge) getting the audience warmed up.

The audience is then plunged underwater to meet SpongeBob Squarepants (Lewis Cornay) in his pineapple under the sea, with a voice at permanent helium pitch as he sings the upbeat opening number 'Bikini Bottom Day'.

Norwich Evening News: Irfan Damani as Patrick Star in The SpongeBob Musical Picture: Mark SeniorIrfan Damani as Patrick Star in The SpongeBob Musical Picture: Mark Senior (Image: Mark Senior)

The costumes are cleverly done in cosplay fashion, including Patrick Star the loveable starfish (Irfan Damani) with Hawaiian shorts and a pointy pink beanie hat. 

READ MORE: 5 things to do at the Lord Mayor's Weekend 2023 in Norwich

The plot follows SpongeBob and his friends as they try and stop a volcano from destroying Bikini Bottom, while the wonderfully villainous Plankton (Divina de Campo) attempts to foil their plans.

While the storyline is quite slow-paced, this is more than made up for in the larger-than-life characters and bold, colourful sets.

Norwich Evening News: Gareth Gates as Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical Picture: Mark SeniorGareth Gates as Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical Picture: Mark Senior (Image: Mark Senior)

Cornay as SpongeBob had the audience utterly absorbed and his energy was infectious.

READ MORE: Two-day market with 50 stalls, street food and free bags coming to Norwich

Gareth Gates was fabulous as the clarinet-playing Squidward, particularly in group number I'm Not a Loser - complete with a tap-dancing chorus line.

Norwich Evening News: Hannah Lowther as Karen the Computer and Divina de Campo as Plankton Picture: Mark SeniorHannah Lowther as Karen the Computer and Divina de Campo as Plankton Picture: Mark Senior (Image: Mark Senior)

The music throughout was very catchy and it is no surprise seeing as it features original songs from the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At The Disco and John Legend.

Hannah Lowther did incredible quick changes from the dastardly Karen the Computer to part of a sardine cult and the standout singer of the night was Sarah Freer as Pearl Krabs.

Drop on the deck and flop like a fish and head to Norwich Theatre Royal - the show runs until July 8.