Goldilocks and the Three Bears

A friendly greeting awaited us from Lisa Farmer, the Chairman, as we entered the bustling lobby. Harlequin Pantomime Productions have a reputation for putting on a special show and it was nice to return this evening with a full house buzzing with community spirit. The hospitality we were offered was generous, and the overall warm welcome to me and my husband, added to the ambience of the evening on this opening night. Inside the auditorium, the stage was bathed in bright colourful lights before the show started with the excited audience facing glitzy purple curtains.

Goldilocks and the Three bears is the fairy tale of choice, the plot thin but the story timeless. The story follows Goldilocks, the daughter of the Baron, who wanders into the woods and discovers a cottage belonging to Daddy bear, Mommy bear and Baby bear. In the absence of the bears, she samples their porridge, chairs, and beds. The bears become friends with Goldilocks, not villains and joined Gertie’s circus troupe.Together as the story progressed, all the circus performersmust save the family circus from the greedy Ringmaster Heinkel. Heinkel hatched a plot to steal the star attraction of Gertie’s circus, the three bears, to save his own failing show.

With Alf Rai as director, the staging of this pantomime was in safe hands, it was a bright, well crafted, joyful entertainmentbursting with pantomime magic. The comic timing was spot on, the larger than life set designs, slick scene changesensured a show that was visually impressive, as were theattractive vibrant costumes and very effective lighting. It was perfectly cast and a pleasure to see the inclusion of young local performers in the ensemble. The first half the pace seemed slow at times and there was some slight hesitation in the delivery of lines but as the performance progressed, confidences were restored and characterisations well executed. Alf’s direction was well matched by Lisa Farmer’s imaginative choreography. The opening musical number, ‘Something About This Night,’ was impactful and effectivelypresented a rousing, fast moving introduction. The show featured numerous dance sequences, all of which were clearly well rehearsed. One musical number,’ Blow,’ was particularly memorable, the dancing was  energetic with the circus ‘crowd,’ showing great stamina and all enhanced by their bright costumes and infectious smiles. I especially appreciated the incorporation of nifty tap dancing as well as refined ballet movements. The finale,’ Can’t stop the Music,’ was amazing. With lively singing, dancing bears and Goldilocks’ athleticmoves, this created a theatrical ending, a ‘big’ finish. One of the standout elements of this pantomime was the musical direction led by Rob Murray, who was also on the keyboard. The upbeat musical numbers, arranged by Rob, energized the show, thanks to the cast's lively singing and solid support from the band featuring Dan Emery on bass and Dave Shipley on drums.

Huge credit to the performers for bringing so much nuance to their roles. There were some vivid characters, especially those with key parts.

Harriet Hommers was enchanting as Goldilocks. She was charismatic, suitably bubbly in character and always expressive. She oozed with theatrical talent and sparkle. Her melodious voice had clarity; her dance routines, which included some daring moves were precise; Harriet is a radiant performer. Goldilocks’ best friend, was Silly Billy, played byMatt Wirtz and he brought to the stage a sense of fun with his 'Buttons style,’ comedy, part of the glue that held the show together. His energy set the pace for the entire production His characterisation ensured he bounced, tumbled or ran onto the stage whenever he appeared. With his ’Hiya everyone,’ he enlisted the help of the audience to watch over things, and he ably led the community singing at the end of the show. Hetook everything literally, making his exaggerated movements both amusing and endearing, especially in scenes with Dame Gertie where road signs cleverly linked a silly story. Matt skillfully balanced comedy with vulnerability. Dame Gertie Dollop was boldly portrayed by Paul Bowman, whose extensive stage experience brought energy and flair through bold makeup, wigs, and extravagant costumes. Paul was rarely off stage. Jack Cottis convincingly played the villainous Ringmaster Heinkel, mixing menace with mockery as he schemed to steal the circus’s three bears. His stiff gestures and partnership, with his bumbling sidekick Snot, effectively conveyed his evil intentions, drawing boos from the audience.Snot was ably played by Harry Slater often blamed for Heinkel’s failures. His childlike expressions were appropriate.The role of Mystic Sharon, an eccentric fortune teller, was characterised by Stacey Smith. She opened the show and set the scene with great confidence, using her crystal ball to predict events and guide the heroes. Stacey delivered a commanding performance and had the audience spellbound with her powerful voice projection as a narrator and rich singing voice. Her fortune-telling movement with expressive hands and gestures when gazing into her crystal ball kept the audience focused. Stacey had stage authority and moved the plot forward effectively. Baron Wastland was a role portrayedby Dave Callaghan, who constantly demanded overdue rent from Gertie Dollop. His character seemed bombastic and money-minded, but as the story developed he showed a softer side, supporting the circus family against the protagonist. He was a circus strongman in his former life, which gave Dave an opportunity for physical comedy which he did well. Álex Jeffreys had a cameo supporting role as Magical Keith and appeared as one of the circus acts in Gertie's struggling troupe. The three bears were played cohesively as a team with Lara Pugh as Mommy Bear; David Ball as Daddy Bear and for this performance, Lissy Brain as Baby Bear. They became Goldilocks' best friends and were presented as a lovable family who could dance and sing. Dressed in costumeslayered with fur, their gestures were exaggerated with arm movements and head tilts, all in keeping with their bearlikefeatures. David Ball had a rich voice with a deep tone, and he moved with heavy deliberate steps. Laura represented Mommy Bear, with just the right amount of nurturing in her characterisation. Her happiness beamed on stage as she performed. Lissy was appropriately bouncy and restless and lighter on foot, a talented youngster who shows promise as a future performer. As a team their reactions were well timed,and their physicality communicated and acted ‘through fur‘,with dance numbers performed animatedly with the rest of the cast in the finale.

This had been a thoroughly enjoyable evening, the opening night of a successful pantomime with local talent and local humour and this year Harlequin Pantomime Productionsexcelled themselves. The audience loved it and they were mostly adults! Congratulations to the cast and crew. Thank you for inviting me.

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