Mother Goose

As with every Harlequin panto, there was a buzz in the audience before the curtain went up, and this was matched by the high energy the cast throughout the performance. This version of Mother Goose found the title character running a Circus in Italy, which created the opportunity for a whole variety of characters within the story, and allowed the production team to maximise the characterisation, comedy and dancing from the principals and ensemble in the Italian and Circus themes. I loved watching around the stage to see everyone in the cast giving their all and clearly looking like they were having the best time. Leading the cast in the title role of Mother Goose was Matthew King.  Matthew confidently commanded the stage, with excellent humour and great characterisation taking the whole Dame role in his stride. Keeping Mother Goose on her toes were Jayde Shenken as the sparkly Fairy Fortune and Sean Miller as the roguish Diavolo. Both had great connections with the audience and drew out the perfect cheers and boos keeping the audience engaged throughout. Helping Diavolo was his sidekick … or servant is maybe a better word, the downtrodden Rascalio played by Ciaran Hayes. Ciaran was brilliant in this role balancing the mischievous and nicer side of his character.  We come across various characters working in Mother Gooses’ circus including her daughter Ginny Goose (Eve Harvey), Carlo (Cam Stewart), Giovanna (Emily Preston), Tina Tumbler (Mia McLaughlan), and Luigi (Christopher Ralph). All gave solid performances, in their character work, vocals and movement.  Completing the principal line up was Eilidh Rodden as Priscilla, in a costume that let us see her reactions more instead of in the traditional goose suit, which was a nice touch, and Grace Miller as The Spirit of the Forest. I would also like to acknowledge the strong connections all the named principals had working together. The central characters were supported by a tight ensemble and the production team should be commended for pulling together this fabby panto. Congrats Harlequin on another success, I can’t wait for next years!

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