Mother Goose feels like that glass of mulled wine on a cold Christmassy evening. It has the rounded flavours, tastiest spices and leaves you smiling. If you want to join festive spirits, this is one celebration you wish to attend. The pantomime pays a fitting tribute to the ongoing 120 years that Hackney Empire came into being. The play brings together the familiar pantomime elements with some spectacular performances. A true testimony to this production’s universality is to have younglings, grandparents and a 25-year-old celebrating their birthday in the audience! You will not be disappointed.
Mother Goose is bright! Clive Rowe’s presence and voice soar to the skies. The set is technicolour rainbow bursts of sunshine, the music lifts spirits while the improvised lyrics make you giggle as an adult, and the physical comedy keeps the children hooked. Will Brenton and Steven Edis have left no stone unturned in mixing the best elements with original songs and rib-tickling writing.
Prepare to be engaged through the performance and singing along. The pantomime elements of playing with sticky substances, the slapstick comedy and topical humour will have you in splits. The play uncovers the vice of vanity this year with the fairy and evil prodding our saintly mother goose over to the dark side. Andre Fabien Francis choreographed the ensemble, Hackney empire’s ADP dancers, Vestry School of Dance, and performing arts bringing entertaining grooves that moves the story forward.
Watch out for Kat B and Tony Marshal’s mind-boggling pun game. Holly Mallett can drum any surface; it’s impressive to see the tables turned on a female protagonist not being saved. The evil queen brought to life by Rebecca Parker was spectacular. I think for next year, I am ready for a queer romance and dames being played by drag queens. Come Christmas, I shall gather my brood and celebrate it at Hackney empire because I know I will be laughing till my dimples hurt!
Playing until 31st December, https://hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on/
Reviewer: Anisha Pucadyil
Reviewed: 2nd December 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★