Mother Goose

It was great to be back to watch your 2024 pantomime and to see you so well supported by a large enthusiastic audience and the additional use of a British Sign Language interpreter to ensure those who were watching could fully understand the story.

I was interested to read that one of your youth members, who was I see being supported by one of your more senior members, had written the script and the story had evolved during rehearsals with suggestions from members of the cast. The story did indeed contain many of the expected features and cast members in a traditional Mother Goose with appropriate Cornish names. As the story moved forward, we met new characters and found out how they were to be integrated into the tale. I felt the first half was delivered at a good pace but the pace did slow a little later in the story.

The hall was set up with a scrim curtained stage with Mother Goose projected on it and steps to the auditorium, there was a cave with an entrance stage left and it was great to see you had a live band stage right, these added many elements to the performance especially the ‘stings’ and incidental music to various events on the stage and lastly a covered structure in the centre of hall in front of the audience. The lights were on a u-shaped bar with extensions and well controlled to enhance the scenes. I did notice that for the first time since I have been to visit your productions that you had mics along the front of the stage. Both the lights and sound were managed from at the back of the hall.

The backdrops worked well and added to the atmosphere in the scenes, although there did seem to be slight problems with some of the rolled backdrops when they were used during the performance. The story moved clearly from the village to the farm, castle, beach and lair.   All the additional scenery and props added to the performance. I especially liked the St Piran’s flag, the head torches and the cleaning kits in the beach scene, the hot air balloon and it was very brave to have water in the magic pond so close to the audience.  The stage crew and performers worked quickly and efficiently on the scene changes.

The costumes produced for all the shows at Carnon Downs are always of a high standard and the wardrobe for Mother Goose was as expected. The ensemble costumes were of a consistent historical period, well-fitting and colourful throughout and matched the scenes. I did notice the ghosts’ costumes were constructed carefully so that those members required to wear them were able to negotiate their moves. I also observed that footwear had been taken into account as was the makeup, this all added to the overall picture on the stage.

The choreographed moves for this production were carefully considered so that all the members of the cast could perform them. I enjoyed the traditional Les Misérables marching movements during the songs; what else could you do; but I especially enjoyed the beautifully arranged ballet dance, what talent you had within the Gooseland ballet dancers, they all looked as if they were ready to dance on the professional stage, well done.

As I have already mentioned it was great for you to have a live band for this production. The choice of songs was varied from classical to popular songs and show tunes to well-loved anthemic choruses. I applaud your MD and you as a group for choosing numbers from Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman; which was initially sung by the younger members of your cast, but be aware that they are so well know that any tuning issues are easily picked up.  But I will say there were some beautifully delivered musical numbers throughout the performance.

It was great to see that you had used the traditional entrances for the good and evil characters especially when they were on the stage at the same time.

The first characters we meet who explained the tale were Fairy Phoenix and her apprentice Fairy Ash, I did like the choice of names alluding to the fact that when a phoenix dies a new one is born out of the ashes. Fairy Phoenix certainly looked the part in a wonderfully constructed outfit using the traditional colours of the bird, orange and red with a beautiful oval staff which lit up and spiked headdress with feathers. She spoke clearly and tried her best to instruct her apprentice who had a tendency to be headstrong although at some points she did seem to lose her text and was prompted by the younger members of your cast; I did wonder if this was meant to happen but couldn’t find out when I asked a member of your team. This didn’t distract from her gentle yet determined performance. Fairy Ash looked resplendent in her blue and white outfit with a spiked headdress like her senior. She portrayed a very enthusiastic apprentice who was determined to succeed, in some of her speeches her words were not always clearly delivered, maybe slow down a little, and it was great to see she received her certification at the end.

Opposing the goodies, you had to have a baddy and yours certainly played the part with gusto. Attired entirely in black and green with a tiara and dark make up. Demona was a force to be reckoned with she dominated the stage when on it, intimidated the audience, used her powers to achieve her evil plans and her delivery of Scar’s song ‘Be Prepared’ was great. I must admit I was a little confused that her apprentice was Waldo who is usually considered to be a ‘curious, happy, kind and optimistic - world and time traveller’ who helps people. Although I know anything goes in pantomime and he did change sides at the end, maybe his evil twin Odlaw would have been more appropriate. This of course is only my view. The young man played the part was dressed as expected in black, white and red with black glasses. He gave a confident performance, spoke clearly and convincingly showed us his time travelling abilities.

The next pair to arrive on stage attired in blue boiler suits with red accessories were Abra and Kadabra they appeared rather confused being employed by the Mayor and Demona. They bounced extremely well off each other and anyone else they interacted with all their text was well delivered and their singing in the sextet was great.

Mother Goose arrived on the stage dressed in a wonderful striped and spotted number with a blue wig. She cleverly changed on stage to her Victorian swimming costume to receive the treatment promised from Demona and entered the pond, which must have been freezing with aplomb! Her costumes were numerous changes from green and gold with a green wig, gold and black outfit with touches of Cornish tartan and ginger and orange wig, yellow and red dress with feathers and sequins and red wig and burgundy and gold finale were all well-fitting and looked wonderful. She made a fantastic traditional dame, interacting with all on the stage, pulling every gag out of the script, sang with gusto and her interaction with the audience was fantastic. A brilliant portrayal.

Following on Mother Goose was Priscilla who was convincingly played. She moved around the stage well in her furry white costume with a blue gingham waistcoat, yellow tights and foot covers. It is always difficult to portray a character that doesn’t speak so everything has to be delivered through gestures and facial expressions which your actor did with self-assurance. Her expressions when she was laying her egg was brilliant!

Silly Billy certainly fulfilled his role within the pantomime. With his white shirt, red bib and brace shorts, odd socks and baseball cap he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the block. He cleverly demonstrated the difference in height between him and Morwenna. His text was clearly heard and he enjoyed singing within a small group and the company.

A seasoned actor was cast as your Mayor. He looked the part in his red outfit with tricorn and as always created a believable landlord expecting payment. He laid the law down to Abra and Kadabra not that it made any difference.

The next three principals introduced to the audience were Billy’s friend Jowan, Lamorna and Morwenna all wonderful Cornish names. Jowan, dressed in breeches a long-sleeved top and cap, appeared to think of himself as an expert in martial arts with his exaggerated movements on the stage. He was ready to follow his heart and help Lamorna even when she didn’t appear interested. He spoke and sang with conviction. Lamorna and Morwenna were lovely together both knew what they thought was best and created interesting characters. Lamorna spoke with a clear determined voice leading the story along and Morwenna a was little quiet at times, remember to project to the back of the room. Both looked resplendent in their medieval gowns and sang well.

The opening of act two took us to Gooseland Palace where Strictly Come Gooseland was about to take place. The king and queen both regally dressed in red, white and gold sat in the grounds with pages behind them waiting to be entertained. Both played their roles with confidence and didn’t falter from their royal stance except when they showed expressions of dislike when Anne and Rich were playing off each other.

The last two principals to be named were Anne Teak the Newscaster and Rich Tea the co-host of the Strictly programme. They provided one of the highlights of the show with their delivery of ‘If You’re Ever in a Jam’ what a pairing. The both created big characters who constantly bounced off each other. Their red and white costumes were great and every line they said was with expression. Congratulations to both.

It is a joy to come and watch a pantomime where a young script writer has been allowed to begin his journey and I’m sure with lots of encouragement and training his skills will be developed because we always need new scripts and to encourage our young people.

The diverse and fully inclusive chorus were certainly an integral part of this production. They were fully engaged when on stage and ensured they all followed the storyline.  As a group they sang and moved well during the performance and when called upon to perform cameo roles they did do assuredly.

I would like to thank you very much for your kind invitation it is always a privilege to attend one of your performances. It was lovely to see lots of well-known players in the show and some I recognise from your youth productions. But, a show like this, with its large cast doesn’t just happen and I would like to congratulate all the members of your company who I know all work extremely hard to create a show of this standard. Many congratulations.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

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