Goldilocks & The Three Bears

Stardust Theatre Company are a unique performing group of 20 students, many of whom are faced with their own personal difficulties and individual challenges, but each has a love and passion for performing and this enthusiasm shows through in everything they do. Stardust have recently become Noda members, and I am delighted to be writing their first review.

Producer Sara Sprague and Director Kei Bailey have created an ethos of inclusivity providing everyone the opportunity to shine in their roles.   With a wonderfully witty script, written by Kei, based on the traditional story of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, combined with the support of actors from other societies and the support of carers, this is a traditional family pantomime which had the audience, booing the ‘baddies’ and cheering on the heroes. 

Following an introduction from Mortimer Marvelloso, our ring master and narrator (Kei Bailey), we were whisked to the circus Big Top in Grumblethorpe-on-the-Moan, owned by the flamboyant Fandango sisters, (Fanny played by Ian Norton and Flossie played by Jason Radford) who preside over a range of speciality circus acts and workers. These include: a magician who keeps misplacing his rabbit (Stephen Coote) with his assistant (Kerry Sumpton), an incompetent knife thrower, Slash Gordon (Selina Kettlewell) and her assistant (Lynn Kendall), a Fortune Teller (Jack Palmer) and Ma Sparkle his mother (Lynette Edwards), Barbie Q a fire eater (Emma Taylor) and juggler (Amy Woodley.)

We also had dancers, acrobats and trapeze artists: Bonnie Bopadoo (Brianna Sprague), Sasha Swizzle (Annie Bridge) and Luna Skydancer (Carter Ashmore) assisted by Sara Sprague, Lisa Bridge, Mandy Ashley, Sarita Drinkell and Maria Michael. 

Fanny Fandango, is the adoptive mother of the golden-haired Goldilocks (Becki Doughty) and her silver haired sister Silvia (Lucy Baptist.) Tragically, Silvia has had her beautiful voice stolen by the evil sorceress Vespera Hexthorn (Jo Warrick) who resides in the Forsaken Forest with her sidekicks, tree goblin Grubbins (Nathan Storey) with Karan Storey and tree sprites Sprout (Sophie Chuck supported by Chloe Dodsworth.)

Amongst the many circus performers, are three enchanted talking bears; Fred Bear (David O’Brien), Clare Bear (Laura Davies) and Ted Bear (Joshua Lane.) Ted Bear has dreams of a solo career performing away from his over’bear’ing father. 

We also meet Tilly Dilly (Hollie Morris) and Sally Dally (Kelly Warran) fast food sellers and wanna be stars desperate for their shot at stardom and the clowns Pongo (Adam Fielding), Pickle (William), Snortlepop (Jeff Morris) and trainee clown, Fizz (Henry Jackson) who provided much of the slapstick humour. 

However, the local zoo, run by Simon Sneer (Thomas Marron) and his zookeepers Gorriliam Shakespeare (James Southee), Percy Waddleton (Jack Strange) and Bessie Trough-Trott (Jo Robinson) with Pete Holden, Courtney Brumpton, Sue Fletcher, Becky Murray, Linda Mallett and Shaun Roseveare.  Simon is feeling threatened by the circus’ popularity (especially the magical performing bears) so he hatches an evil plot to kidnap them. Meanwhile, in the Forsaken Forest, power hungry Vespera Hexthorn is plotting to steal Goldilocks’ voice - but will Simon and Vespera succeed in their wicked plans, or will the power of family and friendship save the day?

Stand out performances from Hollie as starstruck popcorn seller Tilly performing a sassy double act with Kelly Warran. From the moment Hollie came on stage, she had the audience in the palm of her hand bantering and encouraging them to join in shouting out ‘Dilly Dally.’  Hollie showed her confident and expressive dance skills in a lively version of ‘Don’t Even Know It’ as the girls ‘fanta-sised’ about their future as circus performers. 

Thomas was on moustache twirling form as the comedy villain Simon Sneer impressively singing solo to ‘They’ll be Back’ based on King George’s song from Hamilton the ideal showcase for his talent.  He also did a wonderful rendition of ‘Simon Sneer and his Amazing Dancing Bear’ featuring the dancing skills of Joshua as Baby Bear. Josh was adorable as Baby Bear, and we felt sympathy for him when he got tricked by Simon Sneer and locked in the cage. Jason showed good comic timing as Flossie Fandango and played the role of dame well. Nathan as Grubbins was hilarious with his dry witted one-liners almost upstaging Jo as Vespera. 

The comedy clowns, Adam and William, led the routine to ‘Make ‘em Laugh’ with Henry squirting everyone enthusiastically with a water pistol. They also took part in a re-enactment of the Goldilocks and the three bears story acting as ‘chairs’ for Goldilocks to sit on.

James and Jack, the comedy zookeepers, performed their lines with confidence and they disguised themselves as ghosts and were instrumental in trying to catch the bears. 

Becki delivered her lines well as the heroine Goldilocks proving she was more than a match for the evil sorceress.

Special mention to Stephen, as the magician, who performed his lines confidently creating a believable character voice and mannerisms. 

The act 1 finale of ‘Follow the Band’ from Barnum, was very well performed with the cast marching in time to the music with Ian as Fanny leading the lyrics encouraging the audience to clap along. 

I was impressed with the tactful way that the actor supporters repeated lines or paraphrased lines so that the punchlines were never missed, allowing the audience to follow along and respond accordingly.  Also, Kei, as the ringmaster, was used as on-stage prompt which helped to keep the action moving along if cues or lines were missed.  The actor supporters never upstaged the ‘Stardusters’ but allowed them to shine and have their individual moment centre stage.  They also assisted with smooth entrances and exits especially for those using wheelchairs or mobility aids or those just needing an extra bit of encouragement or confidence boost to perform.

Costumes (Linda Wilson, Elizabeth O’Rourke and Sara Sprague) were bright with jewel like colours and outfits to complement the circus theme. Fanny and Flossie, the dames, wore vivid orange and purple satin hooped dresses creating movement as they swept across the stage and the three bears had ears stitched to their hats and wore furry paws and brown clothes. Thomas’s outfit as Simon Sneer perfectly highlighted the oiliness of his character dressed head to toe in black leather and wearing a top hat, props were by Lucy Jackson and the stage manager keeping everyone organised backstage was Callum Thursby assisted by Isobel Ward.

Make-up was provided by Katie Calo fitting the circus theme and face paint added detail to characters such as the bears and Vespera’s sidekicks.  Choreography was created by Kelly Warran which was pitched at a level for all to take part featuring lots of arm movements using feathered fans and streamers for those in wheelchairs. 

The set was strips of red and white material which created the circus tent effect and lights were used to add to the overall ambience along with selected circus themed music provided by Colette Buchanan-Gray.

Well done everyone for an entertaining show with Stardust cast members each performing to their own skills and ability showing the confidence to take on larger roles or performing independently. Everyone was encouraged and supported to take part whether through waving rainbow ribbons while seated in wheelchairs, speaking some lines with or without support or putting on a full-blown performance of singing and dancing.  I loved Brianna’s giggling and laughing as she sang along to Taylor Swift. 

A special mention to the panto performers who used their own skills to deliver the story while ensuring the spotlight stayed firmly on their Stardust cast members. 

Huge congratulations on a fantastic show, your infectious enthusiasm for performing was evident throughout, and I look forward to seeing your next production. 

 

 

 

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