Mother Goose

If there is one thing that you can guarantee from a Stourbridge Pantomime Company production, it is SPECTACLE and Steve Humpherson’s production of “Mother Goose” had it in bucket loads!  If you then add in sheer talent and unbridled enthusiasm by all those involved, you have the makings of a brilliant night in the theatre that was thoroughly appreciated by the audience and your reviewer alike!

Great performances from Jonathan Hunt as the title character ‘Mother Goose’ – relishing every second and able to not cross the very closely drawn line between unadulterated humour appealing to all those present and straying into the adult area often resorted to in professional pantomime productions. Ably supported by his two sons:  Ricky Hammond as ‘Billy Goose’ – the Silly Billy character, played with consummate ease convincing us all that he was born to play the part; Ben Simpson as ‘Jack Goose’ was equally at home, showing great stage presence and his amazing singing voice and dancing talent were a joy to watch. Millie Brown as Principal Girl, ‘Jill’, epitomised the role with her delightful singing and great comedy timing. The essence of pantomime has to be the ‘good’ versus the ‘bad’ and this was left to safe hands of Beth Hemmings as the ‘Queen of Gooseland’ and Kate Berrington as ‘Grizelda’, some great interplay between these two was lapped up by the younger members of the audience cheering and booing their every interaction. ‘Grizelda’s’ henchman Thom O’Brien demonstrated great talent in ingratiating himself with all the characters and being super-swarmy with great effect.  Then there’s the character that can do no wrong in anyone’s eyes – ‘Priscilla’ the Goose, brilliantly played by Emily Jeavons who really brought the character to life and loved by all, not easy when you are in a larger than life goose costume, but she pulled it off superbly.  Talking of costumes – Triple ‘C’ did an amazing job adding to the spectacle of the evening along with an amazing set which was handled incredibly efficiently under the guidance on Margaret Taylor and her amazing team.

Amy Roberts’ choreography, accompanied by a great band and accomplished singing by all, under the Musical Directorship of George Stuart, was the icing on the cake of a great production, alongside the verve and enthusiasm of the whole company who all looked as if they were having a whale of a time. Many congratulations to all involved.

My most grateful thanks to everyone at Stourbridge Pantomime Company for their kind invitation and their very warm welcome.

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