Goldilocks and the Three Bears

What a great opening night it was for Wilburton Theatre Group’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  From start to finish this show, well directed by Tim Meikle, Choreographed by Millie Sutcliffe and beautifully costumed by Margot Barber, had just what a panto should have - energy and pace.  The show also had some pretty slick technical support. Scenery designed and superbly painted by Ann Sherwood and her team looked great. Props all looked good, scene changes were well managed as were lights and sound.  

With a cast 90% of whom were under sixteen years of age the show could have lacked confidence.  This was not the case here. The young chorus hit the stage running from curtain up and the energy and confidence in their performance and contribution to the show was impressive. They delivered their dialogue and songs well, stayed focused and supported the Principals throughout. Well done Villagers Ena Reynolds, Abby Wallace, Mya Ruffell-Macfarlane, Florence Brebner, Annie Mitchell, Charlotte Smith, Millie Sutcliffe and, with a great roar, the Wolf Maksym Kurhanov.

The script took the basics from the famous story but this is panto so of course there has to be a baddie creating evil havoc. This came in the form of Nicole Drury (in an excellent performance) as Queen Bee who with her hench-bees: Barnabee (Millie Sutcliffe), Penelobee (Bethany Webb), Buzzbee (Ciara Pymont) and exchange student Kevin the Wasp (Rylee Weaver) gate-crashed the Teddy Bears’ Picnic —without an invitation I might add — and swapped the good honey for hypnotic honey to change the three bears from warm and cuddly into ravaging killers.  

The three bears Daddy (Nick Grant), Mummy (Maxine Holmes) and Baby (Elizabeth Smith) were good and all looked super. Well done whoever did the face paint.  Endeavouring to check invitations and keep everyone safe in the wood were the two woodsmen Splinter and Choppit played by Jack Grant and Dylan Webb.  In a confident and well delivered performance they made a great duo. To find such good comic timing in two very young performers is rare. Well done both.

This show had a female Dame and if you have no other option than to cast a female — then have one as good as Jess Wildman who, as Auntie Septic, was splendid. Great delivery and attack, no lack of energy and good rapport with the audience from the off. Energy was not wanting in other “goodies” performances either particularly Lucy Peck’s as nephew Ray he might have been dim but to quote a certain ex-PM he “got the job done”!  Of course there has to be a love interest and, although it happened very suddenly as these things tend to do in pantos, Goldilocks (Claire-Rose Charlton) found it in Tomtom (Charlotte Watson). Another two fine  performances.

This show was a credit to WTG, Director Tim Meikle, the cast and production team. It was slick, well timed, energetic and entertaining. Thank you once again for your invitation, it was a pleasure to attend.

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