PANTO time in Burneside once again inspired capacity audiences for this year's production of Mother Goose produced by Helen Little. The production this year had a community flavour in that more than 20 local schoolchildren formed the chorus of nursery rhyme characters, dancing and singing with youthful exuberance.
Within the framework of a rather thin storyline there was ample opportunity for the cast to take the audience through the usual well-tried panto routines and corny jokes expected in panto, all appreciated by the audience who booed and hissed loudly on every occasion.
Debs Michel made a delightful fairy whose narrative moved the story along and Mark Crook was excellent as Idle Jack and really got the audience in panto mood from the first moment he stepped on stage, a pace which he kept up during the whole performance.
Jill, played by Vickie Hunter gave a good performance with some delightful singing, as did Gertrude the Goose Girl, while Amy Giraldo made a coyly cute goose. Steve Hall in the lead role of Mother Goose gave his usual excellent performance and made a convincing dame.
Jabberwocky, played by Oliver Acland made a bold presence as the baddie together with side-kicks Goosenap' the goose and Go to the Moon.
As the second half started, everyone was on the moon, with an excellent eerie ethereal set, with ultra violet lighting giving an extra dimension to the scene. The moonbeam chorus was dressed in dazzling sparkly costumes. The set was superb and this scene was the highlight of the show, with moon monsters, the Man-in-the-Moon and earth beings all chasing - and being chased - resulting in the usual chaotic mayhem.
Eventually the goose is returned to Mother Goose, the baddies captured and it was back to earth for the grand finale.
The backstage team worked well. Costume and special effects were good and this, together with the enthusiasm of the cast, not forgetting the exuberant audience, produced a good family show. Helen Little must be commended on her first panto production.
February 6, 2003 10:30
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