Mother Goose on the Loose

It’s mid Panto Season and if you have an urge to boo villains and bellow “They’re behind you!”, you would be well advised to take a trip into the hills to see the premiere season of Mother Goose on the Loose. This locally written pantomime feels part of the best British tradition, without any stray references to Tesco or the Electric Company to leave you wrinkling your brows.

While I’m often wary of writers directing their own work, Taneal Thompson has directed this well-written piece capably, and though it steps out of tradition a little (no fairies, no clear principal boy or girl) this large cast show set in Nursery Rhyme Land hits all the right notes - with well-chosen songs and a talented, focused and enthusiastic cast.

Gavin Crane is loveable and funny in the Dame role of Lucy Goose. Lucy’s seemingly genuine worry about being kidnapped, as all of the pretty maids begin to disappear, is particularly poignant - and Gavin has the audience in the palm of his hand.

Every pantomime needs a good villain and Mother Goose on the Loose has two superb baddies. Clayton van Dijk as Peter Pumpkin Eater, who has imprisoned his wife in a pumpkin shell, is pantomime-appropriately creepy, while Mary Quite Contrary, brilliantly played by Candice Preston, is delightfully unhinged.

Our pretty maids are sweet and fun. Sophie David is a prissily dressed but forthright Miss Muffet, Eliza Malcolm is a wayward shepherdess with sass as Bo Beep, Chloe Wiggers knows what she wants as Jill, while thirteen-year-old Zoë Carr holds her own with the adult cast as Mary with the Lamb. The Lamb herself is a scene stealer, with fabulous facial expression from youngest cast member Kirrily Martin. 

Lots of Nursery Rhyme characters come to life. There are three Jacks, Sean Wcislo is an earnest Little Jack Horner, Garrison Cox an energetic Jack-Be-Nimble, with Jack Buckmaster a fun Jack Spratt. Another actor called Jack, Jack Riches, nicely plays the laidback Little Boy Blue. 

A lovely collection of ladies form the Nursery Rhyme Book Club. Great warmth and detective work from Suzy June Wakening as Mrs Spratt, Susan Meikle as The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe, and Michelle Ford as Old Mother Hubbard. The uncredited Mrs Pumpkin makes the most of her short appearance.

Mark Ciccini was a worthy ruler and unconventional love interest as Old King Cole, with three fun fiddlers, Austin Greene, Michael Hart and Diddle the Cat (Cathy Parr). 

The children in the ensemble execute much of the vibrant choreography from Kira Impson, Camigwen Glossop, Sophie David and Lizzie Baker, while Rebecca McRae has trained vocals well. Good work from Molly Ward, Trithany Delides, Lizzie Baker, Sienna Stidwell, Jackson Stidwell and Kirrily Martin. 

The set design from the Moloney Family (Amanda, Steve and Zac) is solid and fairy-tale like, with well thought-out lighting from Devlin Turbin. A team of costume designers have created picture perfect main characters, but while the ensemble is all dressed nicely, they lack a little unity.

A lovely show that will appeal to the whole family, and a perfect pre-Christmas treat. 

Kimberley Shaw