Review: GOLDIE FROCKS AND THE BEAR MITZVAH, JW3

Photo credit: Eamonn B Shanahan

As with all the best pantomimes, the show starts with the forces of good and evil: in this case Morris Bloom, the Spirit of the East End, pitted against Calvin Brine, sweatshop owner and oppressor of his workers. The story of Goldie Frocks, talented designers, unfurls against this background in JW3’s second pantomime, in a script by Nick Cassenbaum. We get the basic parts of the traditional story too, although in this version it is three bowls of chicken soup that are tasted by Goldie.

It’s an inventive take on the genre, with a clear narrative and some gifted performers. As befits a production at this Jewish cultural centre, the music too is culturally appropriate. Musical director Josh Middleton (known to many of us from the Puppet Theatre Barge) is proud to say in the programme that all the music was originally either written by or sung by musicians of Jewish descent. This means we get everything from Lionel Bart to Bette Midler, and all of it re-arranged in Klezmer style by Middleton and his three-piece band.

If the glorious music is the crowning achievement of the production, some of the performances come close. Appearing for the second year at this venue is Debbie Chazen, giving 101% as Mama Behr and totally understanding what is needed in a pantomime. Equally suited to the style is Simon Yadoo as the villain of the piece – larger than life and twice as nasty, we know he is the villain from the moment he appears.

Also engaging well with the audience is Frankie Thompson as Baby Behr, in a heartfelt and genuine performance of what is really a cross between the principal lead and a comic role. Her call and response with the audience is neat, fits the narrative and not over-done – and it is cleverly worked in to the songsheet. Thompson also works hard on a slosh scene with Chazen which has all the necessary components but doesn’t really gel, perhaps because it should be someone ridiculous, vain or silly that gets covered by custard pies, not the most sympathetic and best loved of characters.

Heloise Lowenthal is a spirited and brave Goldie Frocks, who takes charge of her own destiny and wins through in the end. David Ellis plays a variety of roles including Rabbi Drake (Orthoducks of course) and Yael Elisheva manages to change their appearance in each of their roles, making their mark each time. As Morris Bloom, Ian Saville wanders on stage from time to time and brings back memories of his socialist magic shows (though maybe shouldn’t do the floating ball quite so close to the audience), and is often effective with an ad-lib; which is just as well since he seemed to have a rather tenuous connection with the script at times.

Although the set by Becky-Dee Trevenen is curiously muted for a panto, her costumes, particularly for Mama Behr, are highly effective – and inventive. Pantomime is not easy and should not be formulaic: Abigail Anderson’s production makes this point well. Goldie Frocks and the Bear Mitzvah has a strong narrative and some important lessons are learned; and where else could you hear a mash-up of ‘Have Nagila’ and ‘Maybe it’s Because I’m a Londoner’? With some good performances and a great selection of music, there is much to enjoy in this one of a kind panto that is likely to be a part of a tradition that JW3 will follow in years to come.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Chris Abbott

Goldie Frocks and the Bear Mitzvah plays at JW3 London until 5 January 2025, with further info here.