Mother Goose – Wolverhampton Grand

Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian is a game old dame bounding on stage in frock after frock of increasing absurdity with all the energy of a pro half his age in a pot pourri of panto panache. This is glorious, engaging, gormless, beguiling and simply joyous. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian nails the part, the panto and the people with all the precision of a seasoned pantomimer but this, it seems, is one of his first goes (He has Twankied for us before now, apparently). It is a masterclass in drollery, wit, timing, slapstick sprinkled with two poignant moments of deft and touching drama. For a moment he tells of his days as a child in Bolton visiting a theatre for the time and being entranced by, of course, pantomime and as he tells us the tale the frock and wig just seem to vanish and a gentle, nostalgic memory is shared. Later a quote for the “The Merchant of Venice” is used at a vital moment, but sincerity and honesty gaining a well-deserved round of applause.

John Bishop offers ample co-starring mettle with a subtle, underplayed and attractively laidback performance which wins over the audience faultlessly. Anna-Jane Casey struts her goosey stuff as Cilla Quack deploying some vibrant, West End fare with consummate aplomb including a barnstorming “Don’t Rain on my Parade”. Adam Brown, as King of Gooseland, pops up in a substantial cameo in Act Two with a perfect pair of captivating comedy knees and an adroit physicality engaging the audience before he has even spoken a word and when he does it is a soft, West Country burr we all warm to. Oscar Conlon-Morrey has a cracking voice with some stand-out moments coupled with a rare sense of comedy much at the fore in the cooking routine (yes, there is a cooking routine and one done so adeptly and precisely it makes the theatre walls shake from the laughter)

Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Encanta, Karen Mavundukure as Malignia, Mairi Barclay as Monkey, Gabrial Fleary as Bear, Becca Francis as Penguin, Shaman Gohil as Tortoise, Genevieve Nicole as Puss, Laura Tyrer as Cricket and Richard Leeming as a very sweet Bat all are given moments to shine, all of whom have strong and ebullient comic sensibility.

The show is stuffed with endless Easter Eggs, references and nods – many to our dame’s illustrious career (“Who would have thought Shakespeare would every have come in handy?”) – many to pantomime itself, but in the end the show belongs to Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian who in two short hours delights us, confounds us, engages us and amazes us and, with the slightest of gestures or intonations, has the audience in the palm of his hand. Like a fine maestro he plays on our hearts and on our minds and in every word and every movement we see the echoes of dames gone by – Jack Tripp, Arthur Askey, Norman Evans, Les Dawson – personified and evoked with charm, grace and fun. This was a special night, and it was privilege to be there.

Playing until 26th February, https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/mother-goose/

Reviewer: Peter Kinnock

Reviewed: 22nd February 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★