Goldilocks and the Three Bears

From an original script by Paul Tate, KTG provided another high-class traditional panto, based on the not too often staged ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’. From the outset, there were quality performances; Britt Needham as Fairy Rainbowglow, elegant and focused. Full credit for her one off pre-arranged performance, on the night I attended.  As the fairy, she had to be matched of course by the nasty circus owner Al Fresco, played as always superbly by Barry North, never backward in rousing the audience! After their short introductions we are led into the first of several good company numbers, “It’s a beautiful day’, including the polished Harlequin Stage School dancers, all taking place in the well-dressed village of Tickle on the Toe.       

We soon meet an appropriately silly but endearing Billy Brouhaha, played well by Tony Fisher, son of another circus owner ‘dame’ Babushka Brouhaha,  played by Rob Brown. KTG has rightly a great reputation of some excellent dames over the years and  Rob is right up there with them, for his stage presence, wit and timing. – not to mention at least 10 costume changes! We also learn that the nasty Al Fresco wants to take over the Brouhaha circus and that’s when the fun begins! In the meantime, we have met Goldilocks played by Phoebe Fisher, who was a delight, projected a great personality and sang well too.

Other principal roles were well played and these had obviously worked hard in producing some effective characters; Julie Fisher as Rita Razzmatazz, always wanting to join the circus, but amusingly never quite making it, Matt Swatton as Squire Skifflepants, full of odd ball bungling energy, Helen Lowe as Crystal Ball, with a great accent and Simone Pascolutti-Werrett as Hairy Poppins and a great voice.

As anticipated Goldilocks finds the cottage of the three bears and inevitably samples the chairs, porridge and beds. I liked the portrayal of Daddy Bear (Stuart Southern), Mummy Bear (Grace Bastable) and particularly Baby Bear played on this occasion by an expressive Teddy Ray, who very nearly stole the show! Naturally, both circus owners would like the bears to perform in their own circus.

I particularly enjoyed; ‘If I were not a circus act’ with increasing contributions from Billy, Babushka, Rita, Squire, Crystal, Hairy and Al, which was excellent, and Goldilocks’ ‘Good Morning Everyone’ . ‘When I grow up’ sung by Goldilocks and Baby Bear was charming and Act 1 concluded with a great sequence of music from the chorus.

Act 2 opened with ‘Come Follow the Band’ with the Harlequin dancers and a great circus backcloth. Harlequin’s danced to ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’ which was quite different but impressive.

Babushka ends up spending all her money and has to take another job as a teacher – and so into the school room scene, full of action (although I was expecting the joke about the bench with the legs missing at one end). Eventually Babushka and Al find togetherness and the end circus scene is superbly dressed for an impressive finale.

Throughout, the five-piece band shone and sound levels were just right. The staging looked good and well lit. It was thoughtful to include a tribute to a long-standing member David Skelton in the programme and reference to three recipients of the Pat Milton Bursary Award, to help finance their education in the arts. Congratulations to Ann Mayor and the production team for pulling off another panto that the audience clearly enjoyed.

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