Review: MOTHER GOOSE, Derby Arena
Photo credit: Robert Day
Each Christmas, Little Wolf Entertainment - in partnership with Derby Live - turn the centre of Derby’s cycling velodrome into a purpose built theatre for their annual Christmas pantomime. Despite not being in a traditional theatre, Mother Goose is still a visual feast with colourful sets and costumes. The show, one of the few pantomime stories that hasn’t become a Disney film, focuses on Fairy Charity and Demon Vanity who bet on the fact that Mother Goose, a kind and caring woman, can’t be corrupted. Throw in a bumbling Baron, a couple of lovers and a larger than life goose, this is a wonderful pantomime production.
In the title role of Mother Goose is Morgan Brind who also writes and designs the show. Brind is just fantastic in the role, with an instant rapport with an audience who clearly come back year on year to what he and his team have put together. The plot requires Mother Goose to become a little selfish and cold towards others. Often this can be a challenge to make feel natural coming from a funny and loveable pantomime dame, but Brind navigates this expertly. He demonstrates that not only is he a great dame but a strong actor and singer, leading musical numbers expertly. Brind’s set design is colourful, and his costumes are stunning across the board.
Fairy Charity and Demon Vanity are played by newcomers to Derby’s pantomime, musical theatre star Djalenga Scott and Coronation Street star Todd Boyce. Boyce is a strong villain, creating a perfectly menacing character. He is booed before he even says a word, and the audience clearly love to boo him. Scott is feistier and a more head-strong fairy than is often seen, but she commands the stage wonderfully, flying gracefully on and off the stage in many scenes.
Derby favourites Kristian Cunningham and Nicola Martinus-Smith return as Benedict and Rosemary. They bounce off one another well, but the romance between the two characters isn’t given much stage time in this production. They both have tremendous voices, although Cunningham doesn’t get a huge amount of time to demonstrate this. Cunningham is outstanding though, building instant rapport with the audience (even if his catchphrase doesn’t quite catch on!) He makes a wonderful comic duo with Brind, and each scene they share is a great fun to watch.
Roddy Peters plays Baron Wasteland. He gives a fun performance, with some enjoyable moments, but he isn’t quite given the opportunity to take part in the number of comedy routines that he should be. Ben Tanner rounds out the principle cast as Shelly Bassey the Goose. After his performance as Marmaduke the Monkey in last year’s Aladdin, he is clearly making a name for himself bringing to life loveable animals. He is wonderfully animated in the gorgeous goose costume (even if we can’t see his voice).
This is an enjoyable family pantomime with a talented cast, fabulous set and costumes and a wonderful selection of songs, including classics, modern pop songs and musical theatre favourites. The music and the small band under the direction of Andy Booth sound brilliant! If you’re in the local area, Mother Goose is definitely worth adding to your Christmas plans this year.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush
Mother Goose plays at Derby Arena until 31 December, with further information here.