Goldilocks and the Three Bears at St Helens Theatre delivered a lively and colourful pantomime experience that captured much of the fun and chaos families come to love. From the start the cast brought an infectious energy to the stage, clearly enjoying every moment as they worked effortlessly to keep the audience engaged. Their enthusiasm was one of the production’s strongest qualities and helped to create a welcoming atmosphere throughout.
The show was jam-packed with bright visuals, playful costumes and plenty of classic panto humour. The audience both young and old were enjoying the slapstick moments, larger-than-life characters and the opportunities to join in with the story whether it is booing Baron Von Vipplemol as the baddie with a Gru like energy and theatrical villainy or cheering along with Silly Billy as he brought his comedy and charm as the joker of the circus. The audience loved it. Of course, every pantomime has a Dame, and this was no different, Dame Gertie, played by Richard Aucott was every much the glamourous matriarch. We can’t forget the heroine of the show, Goldilocks, who with the help of some audience members and the love of her friends, helps to rescue the three bears from the clutches of the Baron, Katy McKenna played this part beautifully.
A special mention goes to Jamie Leahy who was both Baby Bear and the speciality act with his good friend Chucky. This talented man really brought a charm and humour to the show that left audiences in stitches.
The musical numbers were upbeat and well perfomed, adding to the overall show. The ensemble dancers made up of a team from NDHQ Perfoming Arts Conservatoire really brought great energy to every dance, they even performed some daring aerial work with silks and hoops that left audiences holding their breath and cheering in awe at the amazing tricks. These ladies brought an extra element of wonder to the show.
The production team also made good use of the space on stage with smooth transitions that kept the pace moving and allowed for swift scene changes to keep the story flowing.
However, there were a few points during the show where things seemed to go a little off track, more than is expected of a pantomime. Some scenes felt slightly chaotic, as though cues were missed or timing slipped, or they forgot what they came next because the cast were trying to make each other laugh or go wrong a little too much. Pantomimes ted to have some of these moments anyway, to add to the humour of the show, but this time seemed to be a bit more than planned, and while yes it was funny, it also took time to get back on track and was very noticeable enough to break the flow. They didn’t derail the show, but it did cause some occasional dips in momentum.
The storyline itself was also a bit unusual. Whilst pantomimes are known for taking familiar tales and taking creative liberties with them, they usually still feel a lot like the fairytale themselves. This version of Goldilocks did feel quite disconnected at times with plots that didn’t fully seem to link smoothly. A few transitions between scenes felt abrupt and some of the narrative choices felt slightly muddled, but despite this, the performers kept the audience invested and their commitment to the story helped carry the production through.
Overall, Goldilocks and the Three Bears offered an enjoyable evening of family entertainment, that is synonymous with every audience member, no matter their age. The cast’s charm and magnetism, and the vibrant staging brought an uplifting atmosphere that made a fun and joyful evening for all the family. It’s a show filled with heart, humour and plenty of panto spirit.
Reviewer: Abigail Pendlebury
Reviewed: 24th October 2026
North West End UK Rating: