Writer: Jonathan Harvey
Director: Cal McCrystal
Reviewer: Simon Topping
A sublime Ian McKellen leads a stellar cast in this all singing, all dancing panto classic which is given a sassy satirical twist for an audience experiencing a cost of living crisis.
Mother Goose (McKellen) and her husband Vic (John Bishop) run an animal sanctuary in an abandoned Debenhams store for an array of misfits including a gorgeously played Puss in Boots (Genevieve Nicole) and a whole menagerie of weird and wonderful creatures.
Their life is full of friendship and joy but financially hard, and when an astronomical bill from the “Energy Company” threatens to shut them down, the good fairy Encanta (Sharon Ballard) sends them a special, golden egg laying, goose called Cilla Quack (Anna-Jane Casey) to alleviate their woes.
Unknown to Mother and Vic the goose has been sent to tempt them, as a result of a bet made by Encanta and her evil counterpart Malignia (Karen Mavundukure); with Encanta sure the riches will not corrupt them and Malignia betting against them. Will Mother resist the hypnotic power of fame and fortune? Over the course of this entertaining evening we find out.
The panto script is masterfully woven by Jonathan Harvey, whose comedy credits are long, varied and distinguished. He balances the morality play and social commentary within the pantomime well and has produced dialogue which both makes the viewer think, while providing all the panto tropes. The audience are privy to many adult themed double entendres, some groaning gags and plenty of laughs. The pace and pithiness of his language does not disappoint.
The ensemble is fabulous. McKellen is majestic. His Mother gives more than a passing nod to Roy Barraclough’s Cissie character in Les Dawson’s classic Cissie and Ada television sketches, and is all the more wonderful for it. His performance is resplendent, fizzing with energy and is the foundation in which the supporting cast can build. He moves, dances and even sings like a man possessed with the spirit of panto, with a life force of a man many years his junior.
Mavundukure and Ballard get ample chances to show off their impressive singing voices throughout the performance and the actors playing the animals all get their chance to shine. Casey, as Cilla is a sparkling whirlwind of song and dance and there is a very funny section where Laura Tyrer, as the cricket, is trying to turn Vic into a posh gent.
Bishop is charming as Vic. The fact he is not an experienced theatrical actor is sent up nicely in the script and he does equip himself well throughout the night.
Oscar Conlan-Morrey as the Goose couple’s son Jack has plenty to do as the show goes on. He is an effervescent cast member with great clowning abilities and a versatile singing voice. He produces the right panto pitch in his performance and is a joy to watch. The children in the audience respond to him well and his enthusiasm is infectious.
As the show continues we see Mother struggle with the pressures of fame and in true panto form witness the redemption and reconciliation of the main characters.
Mother Goose is the best of what Pantomime has to offer. It is irreverent, anarchic and playful. With plenty of laughs, song, dance and bags full of soul, this is a must see for all the family.
Reviewed on 10th December, on UK Tour
