Mother Goose

Mother Goose                                                                                                                  Pantomime Company

Concordia Theatre, Hinckley                                                                                                       January 2025

 

The Show

There are few better ways to start a New Year than with a pantomime, guaranteed to please young and old. The capacity audience at Hinckley’s Concordia Theatre represented all ages, joining enthusiastically in the fun in the panto-themed theatre, setting the party mood even before curtain-up.

Mother Goose isn’t among the most frequently-performed pantos, relying on a less structured storyline than the better-known ‘nursery tales’ like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. It nevertheless provides ample opportunity for colour, music, dance, comedy, audience participation and spectacle, all of which were abundant in this lavish production under pantomime impresario John Hill and his experienced team.

The Direction, Music and Choreography

Panto, generally, requires a different approach to most theatre. While it breaks the ‘fourth wall’, it limits that freedom with a protective framework. Not always easy – the sheer fun in the relaxed approach can cause performances to become predictable.

A pantomime director of John’s experience can ensure this doesn’t happen, and his lead team of Musical Director Steve Sanders, Choreographers Kelly Vallance and Chris Moore, Lighting Designer Pete Watts and Stage Manager John Watts, supported by numerous assistants, achieve a show worthy of ranking among Pantomime Company’s many successful productions.

The music, under MD Steve, performed by a live band augmented by recorded orchestral tracks, flowed smoothly, supporting the songs and the excellent choreography. A special word too for the young dancers, whose evident enjoyment was a joy to watch.

The Cast

The panto opened, in traditional style, with the ‘good fairy’ – regular panto performer Helen Shorthose as Fairy Modesty, who oversaw proceedings to ensure everyone’s happiness. Modesty’s efforts were initially thwarted by Mona Moneybags, experienced local actor Emma-Jane Gladman, whose aim in life was to drive Mother Goose from her cosy cottage. Helen and Emma-Jane, with others, were also part of the brilliant “If I were not in Pantomime” sketch.

As Mother Goose’s fortunes improved, Moneybags convincingly changed position to support the newly-enriched Dame, but was in turn challenged by the efforts of the real ‘villain’, Demon Vanity, played wickedly by Will Shorthose, looking very like a fairyland Jack Sparrow, responding with menace from the very start to the audience’s enthusiastic booing!

As in many Pantomime Company presentations, the cast included established performers and some newer to this format. Like all pantos the show relies on strong comedy, led here by experienced ‘Dame’ Phil Bevington in the title role, strongly supported by panto regular Craig Martin as Billy Goose Their zany and slapstick comedy kept the audience laughing throughout. Craig’s ‘Alexa’ sequence in particular was original and very funny. That some of Phil’s jokes were familiar to older members of the audience, from their own schooldays, didn’t matter at all – saucily delivered here they were as funny as ever, and sat comfortably alongside Phil & Craig’s numerous (and in some cases risky!) new gags.

Phil & Craig were supported by Reece Lowen and Joseph Hinchcliffe as Cuthbert and Eustace, the ‘brokers men’, who added their own comedic element to proceedings. The “who, what, I don’t know” routine with Billy Goose was skilfully and entertainingly delivered.

The romantic element of the story centred on a very engaging Principal Boy (Colin Goose), played in traditional thigh-slapping fashion by Laura Norton, never stepping out of character, and Colin’s innocent ‘sweetheart’ Jill, an attractive and demure Becky Orton. Jill was given her chance to be a little less demure in her lively and entertaining ‘airline stewardess’ song in Act 2.

Completing the principal line-up was Priscilla the Goose. While we never got to see Francine Gardner, we were assured she was inside the well-constructed goose-feather costume, which she inhabited convincingly. While we may have hoped to see Francine at ‘curtain-call’ time, it was to the credit of the production that the spell remained unbroken, for the young members of the audience at least, when Priscilla took her bow – a Goose to the end!

The technicals

The technical side of this pantomime’s staging was breathtaking. It included ever-changing visuals on screens around the stage, synchronised and well-balanced sound effects, effective and ever-changing lighting, ‘snow’ in the auditorium, a clever ‘upright’ bed, and a spectacular ‘wall of water’ which even separated to allow Mother Goose to enter!

Costumes

Costumes are always a special feature of Pantomime Company productions. This was no exception. The whole costume set was attractive, spectacular and ever-changing. I lost count of the number of changes, but each set played its part in helping to create a memorable picture, even the lovely football strips worn by the young dancers in the brief ‘World Cup’ scene.

An enjoyable evening’s entertainment, enthusiastically received. Congratulations to John, his production team and the whole company for another successful Concordia Pantomime.

High-quality pantos have been a feature at the Concordia since the early 1970’s, and the Pantomime Company has been resident there for over 25 years. This production coincided with the launch of Concordia’s ‘Project 2030’ which, over the next 5 years will see major refurbishment and transformation of the theatre enabling Concordia, Pantomime Company, and all the resident and visiting musical and dramatic groups to continue providing entertainment and enjoyment for generations to come. Noda wishes them success in this ambitious project.

Colin Blackler

Noda                                                                                                                                                  January 2025

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.