Mother Goose

AUDLEY PLAYERS THEATRE COMPANY

MOTHER GOOSE

One of the great things about the British Wintertime is the chance to see a Pantomime. Oh Yes, it Is! Tonight, proved this rule.

Audley Players production of John Crocker’s Mother Goose had all of the magic ingredients which constitute this very British of theatrical traditions.

Mother Goose, exuberantly played by Maryellen Butler, led the charge with gusto, constantly trying to contain her eccentrically errant son Jack and love-struck daughter Jill, played by Levi Rhodes-Mckenzie and Erin Gascoigne-Jones, respectively.

Throw in a dodgy money-grabbing Squire - Donna Hammersley; aided and abetted by two inept henchmen Willy and Nilly - Anna Jones and Wendy Brough. Good interplay between these characters.

Sprinkle some magical shenanigans, in the shape of Evil Demon - Sue Hargreaves, despite her evil doings gave us a great rendition of I Put a Spell on You. Pitted against the Good Fairy - Sophie Jervis, all adding to the wonderful jeopardy and mayhem that is pantomime.

First time Director Chelsea Taylor not only gained her wings but also didn’t want to make it easy for herself by playing Jill’s love interest, principal boy Colin.

There were some truly excellent comedic moments; the attempted delivery of a huge final demand letter; the complete mayhem of a very funny, multiple course dinner party catered by Willy and Nilly, plus of course, the obligatory slapstick baking scene, in this particular instance pie making; always a winner.

I must mention the almost show within a show scene which entailed Ben Butler as King Goosegog, presenting a one man, many hats scene, completely off the wall Milliganesque bizarre and very funny.

A really lovely set, the theatre proscenium bedecked with feather motifs, very effective use of lighting and sound. Costumes were superb throughout, particularly Mother Goose.  

 

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