Goldilocks & The Three Bears

Bethel Crowd take on Goldilocks & The Three Bears.

Walking into the theatre, Christmas trees were all over in the walk-in and on stage some with lights on and one with a sign ‘Caution: Honey Bees at Work’. This certainly added to the magic. The set was a black box with different levels at the back. When the lights were off, the stage was decorated with fairy lights and around the Downstage Left Door. Pieces of set and props were then brought on mainly by the cast. Some red mushrooms were placed around the stage and some of the set was flown in like the Bears’ window. Around the stage was a velvet red apron. The back of the stage on the steps was a keyboard and two guitars. Set and Props were Mairead Coburn, Luke Harvey, Julie Owen, Caitlin Owen, Graham Talbot, Wayne Heaton, Lauren Goddard and Anthony Talbot.  Sound and Lighting all added to the show - Sound and Lighting Aaron, Stacey, Alan Dodd, Marc Coburn, Bob Session and Rob Owen.

Costumes all looked in keeping and Queen Bee’s was particularly striking. Costumes Helena Carter and Caitlin Owen.  The Dame’s costume was by Tracey Heaton. Helena Carter was Director and Choreographer with Assistant Directors Jason Taylor, Zoey Tattersall and Caitlin Owen. Dance Captains were Mairead Coburn and Josephine Holmes. Something for everyone and ages ranging from 7 to 60 plus the cast come together as one, each being given a chance to shine. Cuteness overload with a range of music and the infamous Baby Shark being turned into Baby Bear. I did wonder in the scene when the Bears left the house because the porridge was too hot,  Goldilocks came through the same entrance which made me think would they not have seen her (just a thought)? The costumes bright and colourful and even the Lighting and Sound having bear ears on. Good use of the stage and space and using entrances through the audience and the centre aisle steps for the dance made good use of the space.

The chorus were supportive and added to the show using all the different entrances, with the ‘Awhs!’ when Elijah Goddard and Nancy Paxford gave their all on stage.

The Bee Band was Thomas Coburn, Luke Harvey and Bryn Williams. There were various Bees in the Bee Army with one wasp called Kevin played by Phoebe Scott-Walker. Hilarious.  Daddy Bear was played by Graham Talbot, Mummy Bear by Dee Kernachan and Baby Bear by Harry Leigh. I did think that if the bowls had not been see-through it would have helped baby bear when he says mine’s been eaten all up. The bear make-up did look good.

Splinter played by Lauren Goddard and Choppit played by Elaine Sessions the double act who looked after the forest.  Coming up with ridiculous ideas and also being security guards and getting to sing Count On Me. Funny. Wayne Heaton plays Auntie Sceptic complete with glittery beard. His daughter Ray played by Zoey Tattersall gave us energy and funny. First gag coming on with a huge front door. Light up hair buns and a light up scooter plenty for the younger audience members to identify with. Great character. Mairead Coburn takes on Tomtom the principal boy character complete with required thigh slap. Mairead is fast growing in confidence on stage in taking lead roles. Principal girl was played by Director and Choreographer Helena Carter as the leading role Goldilocks or ‘Goldie’. Helena certainly looked the part and steered the story line. Working well with the cast. Caitlin Owen as Queen Bee was fabulous and looked great too in her outfit and light up wings. Playing the baddie and getting the boos Caitlin relished the evil and great songsl. Excellent character.

Thank you so much for the invite and lovely to see mixed ages on stage a great community feel. Thank you from my guest Dawn and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep.

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