Show: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Society: Richmond Theatre (professional)
Venue: Richmond Theatre. 1 Little Green, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1QH
Credits: By Alan McHugh, Additional material by Phil Walker. Presentrd by Crossroads Pantomimes.
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 09/12/2022
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
It’s interesting how different theatres (and their communities) have different age levels of audiences. The London Palladium hardly plays to any small chidren; it’s all offices on their Christmas outings. This was our third Crossroads Pantomimes (formally Qdos) in the space of just five days and I have to say that for originality, the world’s biggest pantomime producer (plus writer Alan McHugh all deserve a big pat on the back. I didn’t hear a single joke repeated this week. Some of the routine ideas were used twice, such as the song clips played to cleverly use the lyrics, but the songs chosen are all different across Woking, Wimbledon and Richmond. The audience in Richmond Theatre – a stone’s throw from the Thames – are very young. Families and grandparents are in abundance so it’s little wonder that CBeebies’ Chris Jarvis has directed here at least twice in the past… and The One Show’s Matt Baker tops the bill this year.
I only just made it in time actually. But when I did take my seat it was so worth it, and this was a title I’d not seen before. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as a panto and by way of tradition, is centrally set in a circus. A clown called Joey (Matt Baker) wants to save it from the evil clutches of Countess von Vinklebottom (Jessica Martin) who has her own group of weird attractions to offer. Together with a gilrl called Goldilocks (Tamara Morgan), Dame Betty Barnham (Nigel Ellacott as the dame) and Ringo the Ringmaster (Phil Walker), they stick to the fairytale and stumble across a cottage in the middle of the woods. Inside they find some porridge, chairs and beds… you probably know what comes next. The incredibly nice trio of Mummy Bear (Nova Skipp), Daddy Bear (James Paterson) and Baby Bear (Lucy Conley) have gone for a walk while their porridge cools and when they get back everybody has fallen asleeo in the cottage etc. That is as far as the fairytale goes in the world of panto.
The circus provides a good excuse for some variety, hence the inclusion of magician, Phil Hitchcock (The Magical Mysterioso), and juggler, Gordon Marquez (El Mariachi Marquez), who are both highly talented, perform their own acts. Matt Baker is also a skilled performer and even walks the high wire just before the interval (to rapturous applause). The six dancers (ensemble) all deserve special mention too as they all (Tia, Reece, Zara, Jack, Peb and Emily) are currently non-professional (for now anyway) and haven’t even graduated from Epsom’s Laine Theatre Arts yet. What a great experience this must be for them. There’s also a wonderfull medley from 42nd Street which is very well done by all involved.
Set routines like the song “If I were not in pantomime…” are hilarious and very tiring I’m sure. If you’re Baker especially.
The younger members of the audience are really into the plot as is evident once the screaming begins. The boos that Countess Vonklebottom suffers / endures must be … delighful for Martin. No spoilers from this reviewer but I can say watch Baby Bear go! Pierce Tee’s six-pice band are suitably reliable and The Twins FX should very [proud of their animated giant ape (and giraffes which make and appearance at the end). These all might be on hand after the London Palladium doesn’t need them anymore… but who cares; they work in Richmond.
Croydon (Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook) and Greenwich (Robin Hood) to come next week! So far it’s been a very good year.