Mother Goose

Where do you start when a show has about everything?  From a good looking set and an impressive opening number of colourful costumes and fluid movement, this pantomime brimming with talent and full of pace, could have been staged in any professional theatre.

A new version of ‘Mother Goose’ written by Paul Milton, could have been written for Mother Goose herself, giving every opportunity to Barry North to present all that he has become well known for. The transition from old and plain to youth and beauty provided the opportunity for some cabaret style entertainment, but pleasingly mending her ways Mother Goose returned to her poor and kind origins in true panto tradition.

There were no weak links in this production, with full on principal support; Oli Roberts as an amusing ‘Silly Billy’, Rachel Price’s sparkling ‘Fairy Harmony’, Andrew Skelton’s devilish ‘Demon Discord’, Anne Osborne’s queenly ‘Quillhermina’, Peter Baio’s bouncy ‘Squire Bransford’  and not forgetting  Gail Moran’s endearing goose ‘Priscilla’!

The story was made complete with some quality singing and performance from Matt Sudworth (‘Justin’), Laura Fullelove (‘Jilly’) and Leanne Stephens (‘Anneke’). The chorus were polished and the icing on the cake was once again provided by the Harlequin Stage School dancers, leaving us in no doubt that their recent awards for the most outstanding Musical Theatre and Classical performances at the 2016 World Gala, were truly deserved.

Directed by Paula Dymock and Rachel Sedgley, musical direction by Hattie Amos and the obvious sheer hard work and preparation by the entire backstage team, this show was nothing less than spectacular.

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