Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Unfortunately I missed last year’s panto at FADLOS, so I was very pleased to be back at the Fakenham Community Centre following their excellent production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie earlier in the year .As the curtains opened to an energetic and uplifting rendition of “Join the Circus”, from Barnum, led by Luke Morgan on vocals, I was instantly drawn by the kaleidoscope of costumes, colourful set and energy produced by the entire cast. The costumes were of the highest standard, including an array of outrageous ones worn by Dame Gertie. (I lost count of the number of changes Ben Francis, as Dame Gertie had, and was told later that they had to deploy a van and car to get to them to the venue).

The very well-designed set consisted of a colourful and reversible archway entrance to a circus, one side for Dame Gertie Dollop’s, the other for the evil Ringmaster Heinkel’s. The inside of Dame Gertie’s caravan was highly effective, and the set was beautifully painted. Lighting and sound were top notch, and as the curtains opened, the audience were treated to a wonderful production. It was slick, casting was faultless, and the comedy timing superb. Choreography (Niamh Lingwood, Annabel Nash, and Tilly Baron), was very imaginative, and well drilled.

Getting things underway was Mystic Sharon, played by Oliva Whitehouse, more than a match for the evil Ringmaster Heinkel (Jeremy Barker), and his sidekick Snot (Teejay Standing), until her magic wand was later stolen from her. I’ve mentioned many times that I love a bit of dead pan humour, and Oliva’s put downs of Heinkel and Snot were very well delivered. As Heinkel, Jeremy’s Germanic accent was brilliant, clear, and commanding without being over the top, also showing his soft side at times, it was an impressive performance. A stunning costume to boot. I have not seen Teejay as a baddie before, but he rose to the occasion with particularly good reactions in defence of his boss, until Heinkel dismissed him, and he joined the good guys at the end.

Act One concluded with the ensemble delivering a very energetic performance of “Let’s all get loud”, by Gloria Estefan.

I really enjoyed the scene with Magical Keith (Sam Sadler), a very funny character, with a hint of Tommy Cooper bad magic followed by some real magic, most of the cast and ensemble appearing as if by magic from an empty box.

As Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear, and Baby Bear, Robert Bond, Kaisha Riches, and Paula Graver were very warm characters, and the scene in their cabin when Goldilocks was asleep in Baby Bear’s bed was very nicely set. -Paula as Baby Bear, when tempted away by Heinkel and Snot, showed a depth of character of a vulnerable young person, a wonderful characterisation.

Curtis Austin, as Colossus, and Andy Grout, as Baron Wasteland, also put in very good performances.

Ben Francis, as Dame Gertie, and Tom Bailey, as Silly Billy, were simply hilarious, lots of innuendo, the dead pan humour of Ben as Gertie had me in stitches. A brilliant Dame.

Finally, Elizabeth Sims, as Goldilocks, was perfectly cast, warm, endearing, and excellent vocals.

Supported by a fantastic ensemble, this panto was outstanding and I had a wonderful evening. My congratulations and thanks to Directors Scott Meacock and Tilly Baron, and all at FADLOS.

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