Mother Goose

The Wardens pantomime attracts an audience from far and wide, as does the professional standard show. But this is an amateur show which looks professional. The cast in steeped in theatre experience mixed with newcomers having a wonderful learning experience.

The Theatre  has lots of facilities on a large stage which caters for large shows, accommodates large scenery, access between audience and cast and more. The Wardens use everything and give us, the audience, a top notch show from the opening of the curtains to the final walk down.

The opening scene introduced Demon Rotten Egg (Carl Ryan). He is always quite a favourite with the audience and cast. Playing the baddie , he has lots of opportunities to interact with the audience. Boy do they love booing and hissing! His opposition was Fairy Hapus (Julie McNicholls-Vale) who encouraged us all to cheer, which we did.

The villagers scene introduced us to the dance group who, with the rest of the cast, were under direction from Lorna Lowe. Choreography was innovative and well rehearsed along with simple, effective formations. The Ducklings and Goslings thoroughly enjoying themselves. What an experience for so many local children. No doubt the beginning of many years involved in musicals and pantomimes.

Lots of the dialogue written by Richard Cheshire, who also played the Dame, was very  up to date and often referred to TV programmes. Of course, Track (Alex Neil) and Trace (Nick  Allen) were names we were familiar with recently. They were definitely on call from the Dame and Demon Rotten Egg.

I think Mother Goose was rather challenged when he randomly chose a man in the audience  to relate to who turned out to be in the police force. He had good answers to everything he was asked.

Jack Goose (Jordan Ainslie-Rogers) gave a confident performance as did Jill (Yoyo Baron). They both had lovely singing voices and worked well together. Priscilla Goose (Lorna Lowe) was a lovely large costume which Lorna worked very well. She laid golden eggs and was therefore much in demand by Lady Lucre.

Mother Goose was persuaded to fly to Planet Hollywood in her spaceman suit where she was to take a dip into the magic pool and step out looking like a Beauty. Another outrageous costume.

Pickles (Ioan Guile) and Lady Lucre (Theresa Jones) were on top  form throughout the show.

This was a traditional panto. So “If I were not upon this stage” item went down very well with the audience. There were water pistols with cast members running around the auditorium.

40 years of Wardens pantos still has a freshness. The costumes were very colourful and plentiful. Singing contained lovely harmony, especially from the principals under the baton of Elinor Powell. I particularly liked Queen of Gooseland (Donna Richards), she had a lovely warm voice.

The Demon performed an “I’m begging you” number backed by the dancers, who were all in purple, and very effective. There was avery clever item with questions and quotes which was accompanied by taped music which was beautifully timed.

The audience were very appreciative throughout, even sitting with fingers crossed and whispering at one time.

Another very enjoyable night.

CONGRATULATIONS

Jackie Titley

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