Mother Goose Cracks One Out

5
Panto at Above the Stag.
By Derek - 1st Dec 2018

All the elements of panto are here plus a barrage of filthy jokes, even reference to being child friendly in order to satisfy the paedophiles in the audience. Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper have written quite a traditional take on the story, yet have managed to include most of the expanding list of letters which LGBTQ… includes. Their ridiculous but arch singalong piece gently mocks this desire to include every shade of gender/sexuality within loving arms. Good to see prominent lesbian characters given an equal shout.

We started front of tabs with a lengthy intro by Dandelion (Scott Dale) and Mephista (Briony Rawle). They worked the crowd enthusiastically ensuring that the audience realise they have a key role in the production. This was also a teaser for what would the curtain reveal – What scenes and scene changes would emerge on the new large stage? An abundance was the answer: turning things, folding things, descending bits carefully designed and well managed.

Just enough singing was included, not too much to slow things down but enough to maintain the jollity. I don't think all of the cast are natural dancers, however! My favourite song was the love-missed duet for Tommy and Chester. Excellently played and deliciously mucky.

Liam Woodlands-Mooney’s Tommy will win audience hearts every night even if he continues to decline shouts of "Off – Off!" to encourage him to strip his T shirt. His confident charm kept the show running when others stuttered. Matthew Baldwin as Mother Goose was so laid back, he almost forgot he was playing Dame. Thanks to Tommy for keeping the show on track. Baldwin has dry, stylish delivery which beguiled his audience. Christopher Lane gives a suitably stupid father figure plenty of fun, while Ellen Butler plays a power crazed mayor effectively though she has too much phone work for too little payoff. As their son, Christian Andrews takes Chester gloriously over the top while still hiding his sexuality. Some mover too! Dandelion (Scott Dale) shows that a fairy can command the theatre and works his front of tabs solo fillers well. Briony Rawle relishes the role of baddy – I pity some of the audience she focussed on – and shows admirable disdain for us mere audience members. As Priscilla, Laura Blair is a revelation. With little to do in the first half, she takes over the final scene and powers to the climax. Her swearing in the jury and dialogue with herself are hilarious. She also shows some pleasing dance moves, managing to control her preposterous costume throughout.

They include just enough to be topical without thrashing the jaded political favourites and plenty of panto relish for the improbable and just a sprinkling of fairy magic. What more could we want?

Derek Benfield


Latest News & Reviews

28th Mar 24 :: Review: The Wizard of Oz
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
27th Mar 24 :: Critics Circle Awards
The winners of this year's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards have been announced.
22nd Mar 24 :: Review: The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
5
12th Mar 24 :: Review: Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
3
7th Mar 24 :: Review: The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
5
6th Mar 24 :: Review: And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2
5th Mar 24 :: Review: Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
3
2nd Mar 24 :: Review: Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
2
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
3
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
26th Feb 24 :: Offies Winners 2024
WInners of the Offies 2024 awards have been announced.
15th Feb 24 :: Review: The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
12th Feb 24 :: Review: Whatsonstage Awards Winners
The winners of the Whatsonstage Awards announced.
0
6th Feb 24 :: Review: Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
Selected dates until 26 February at the Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, London W1D 5DH
4
5th Feb 24 :: Review: Macbeth
David Tennant and Cush Jumbo at the Donmar Warehouse
4
20th Jan 24 :: Review: Disney's Aladdin
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
19th Jan 24 :: Review: Alegria - Cirque du Soleil
The latest production seen at the Royal Albert Hall
3
20th Dec 23 :: Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Pantomime seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Dec 23 :: Review: Sleeping Beauty
Panto at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing.
4
13th Dec 23 :: Review: A Christmas Carol
Guy Masterson's one-man production seen in Boscastle
5

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 10 days
 
Birmingham Royal Ballet - Black Sabbath
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 13th Oct 23 :: 145 views
And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 6th Mar 24 :: 107 views
The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 7th Mar 24 :: 101 views
The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
Posted 22nd Mar 24 :: 97 views
Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 94 views
The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 15th Feb 24 :: 94 views
Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
Posted 5th Mar 24 :: 91 views
Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
Posted 12th Mar 24 :: 82 views
Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 68 views
Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
Posted 2nd Mar 24 :: 62 views


Listings powered by Dynamic Listing Ltd
Mastodon X - Twitter Multidomain certificate installed
© Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024