Mother Goose

With a long established, experienced production team this fabulous company’s winning combination, plus a live band, playing to a full hall every night, we were sure to be in for a great night’s entertainment.

The two star adversaries were stalwarts Amanda Blacklock as Fairy Friendship and Stuart Mitchell as Demon Discontent.  True life best pals, while in character, both have great vocal, dramatic and dance ability; and could easily carry any role. With perfect diction, Fairy was sweet and engaging while Demon was dark and dramatic. Demon’s wicked laugh provoked boos and hisses a plenty. The Act 2 opening number, ‘Ev’rybody’, was a superb showstopper, featuring Demon and chorus to great audience appreciation.

The young and vivacious Jill, Ellie Bryson-Welsh, featured in the lively opening chorus, sparked a lovely audience reaction and her warm friendly interaction with Colin, was well played by Skye-Machara Henderson. During their ‘Count on Me’ rendition they also introduced a very capable and enthusiastic youth group. The youngsters gave a hugely endearing rendition of ‘The Happy Wanderer’, an animated ‘Little White Duck’ and lively ‘Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep’ with Fairy, proving once again how encouraging and supportive this company are in engaging young performers. 

The comic role of Silly Billy was in the bouncy, lively shoes of Billy Rooney. His connection with the kids in the audience won trust and affection with a rousing call out at every entrance.

The colourful and comedic Mother Goose was perfectly cast in Jodie Millar. Never failing us with a stunning costume and wig match he filled the stage with a larger than life performance, leading numbers in ‘We’re in the Money’,’Your Disco Needs You’, ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini’ and ‘Making Your Mind Up’, to name but a few… and that was only in Act 1.

King Proper-Gander, Craig Douglas and Queen Goosegog, Leanne Robinson, regally fulfilled their duties throughout, keeping the goose theme alive with a lively ‘Shake Your Tail Feather’.

Duo Bill Bumpkin and Ben Boggtrotter were excellently played by Amy Welsh and Ally Turnbull, joining the hilarity in the Ghost Gag Sequence and Demon and chorus for ‘Better the Devil You Know’. 

A special mention goes to the eerie, masked dancing ghouls who created a great River Dance display while Mother Goose took a dip. 

Pricilla the goose, in her be-feathered costume was comically played by Julie Smith, with no words needed.

The obligatory glittery finale was beautifully costumed and the audience helped raise the roof in a fabulous Christmas medley as Santa gave us all a wave.

Such a great evening of entertainment. Many Congratulations! 

 

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