MOTHER GOOSE

As with many pantomimes, this show opened with Fairy Goosedown, played by Joanna Vincent. Joanna’s contribution to the production was faultless and articulate, as she appeared beautifully dressed, intermittently throughout the production.

I always think of the character Mother Goose as a cuddly, caring fluffy bird, doting on her goslings. In this piece, the character was portrayed with confidence by Jason Smith, who took command of the stage from his first entrance. Jason coped well with a range of colourful wardrobe accoutrements, and had a good rapport with the audience. The roles of hero and heroine – Jill and Jack, were in the capable hands of Charlotte Williams and Catrin Mari Thomas respectively, who both came up trumps in all their tasks. Karen Tomkins and Bryony Green filled the roles of Nifty and Shifty, but I felt at times, they were a slight distraction from the other members of the cast. Paula Carr gave a notable portrayal as Silly Billy, Mother Goose’s son and Ed Farrow, whilst he could have been a tad more forceful, received the usual ‘baddie’ reaction from the audience in the role of Mephisto. He was attended by Ryan Price-Hughes as Mini Mephisto. Lovely performance from Emilie Spindley as Lucy Goose who was forced to lay the giant golden egg. It was great to see the minor roles well cast, including excellent cameo performances from Joshua Wilde – Keeper 1 and Ellie Whomsley-Walker - Keeper 2, in the Fountain of Youth Scene in Act 2. Minor roles are most important and even though they delivered their lines from up stage, one could hear every word – well done.

In the performance I saw, young Krystal Rice filled the role of Charlie with self-assurance, and I am confident that Neah Muir-Williams, carried off the same role with aplomb in previous performances.

There was a lot of pantomime slapstick comedy content in this piece, as we were treated to a paint sketch, light show and some audience participation. The cast had a good balance of youngsters and adults, all musical numbers spot on with interesting choreography. Costumes were appropriate with detail to hairstyle and make up, which all culminated in another triumph or this enterprising company.

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