“A panto? In February!” was my first reaction to being invited to Mother Goose. But yes, a panto. And what’s more, it was exactly the kind of entertainment we could all use in the current climate.
Loosely based on an old children’s story, this production is firmly set in the present day. A high street department store has closed down, and Mother Goose has moved in with her husband and son and the animal menagerie she has taken in. However, they are facing rising energy costs which could leave them homeless… possibly a little on the nose for some, I suspect! What follows is the story of their rescue by Cilla Quack – a goose that lays golden eggs – and their subsequent rise and fall as the good fairy and the evil witch exert their influence on the family.
The writing is excellent: Jonathan Harvey has penned a story that not only keeps the audience engaged from start to finish, but also resonates firmly with our current social climate. However, he takes it one step further, expertly weaving in character traits or background information about the cast, which only enhance the storytelling and the comedy. The musical team, James Keay and Mark Crossland, should also be commended for the wide range of musical numbers: from Neil Diamond to A Chorus Line and everything in between!
The design of the show was great (Liz Ashcroft), making it engaging for audience members of all ages. And special props to whoever designed Cilla Quack’s costume to make sure that Anna-Jane Casey could lay golden eggs on demand!
Perhaps disappointingly for the cast, there were very few young faces in the audience, especially considering the usual demographic of a pantomime. That didn’t seem to matter to the audience though, as we all collectively regressed into children and the Lyceum was full of raucous laughter, cheers, boos, and shouts of “oh yes it is” and “he’s behind you”! The cast merrily wove in every possible panto tradition you could think of, combining it with excellently thought out physical comedy, some cracking one-liners and a plethora of theatre references for those in the know. It was a night out to remember!
Sir Ian McKellen was quite clearly the star of the show, and the audience were not shy in expressing their preference for his scenes. And he was truly exceptional, embracing the panto dame tradition with every bone in his body, and then switching on a button to recite Shakespeare when the story called for it. However, the public also quickly recognised the rest of the immense talent on the stage, which comprised exceptional performers of stage and screen.
Highlights for me included Anna-Jane Casey’s version of Don’t Rain on My Parade and John Bishop’s performance of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18. Lizzie Gee’s choreography kept the whole cast moving; props to Sir Ian & John Bishop for keeping up with the precision and grace of the ensemble, all of whom are exceptional dancers and performers.
As with any production that relies on comedy of this type, it’s impossible to please everyone all the time. There were therefore a couple of moments that didn’t sit as well with me as the rest; but it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the show at all. This is definitely one to watch, and it truly is fun for all the family!
Mother Goose continues at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield until Saturday 18th February 2023. More information about this show and the ticket links can be found here: https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/mother-goose The tour then continues at venues around the country until April, and all the details can be found here: https://mothergooseshow.co.uk/
Reviewer: Jo Tillotson
Reviewed: 14th February 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★