Review: MAMA GOOSE, Stratford East
Photo credit: Mark Senior
Some pantomimes have great writers who know how to merge a traditional story and current issues. Some pantomimes have skilled triple threat performers who understand how the genre works and can communicate to an audience. And some pantomimes benefit from skilled production and stunning designs. And this year, Besties, Stratford East have all those assets in their excellent Mama Goose.
Written and directed by Vikki Stone and Tonderai Munyevu, with music by TRSE panto stalwart Robert Hyman (27 years at this venue), Mama Goose moves the traditional story to Stratford but keeps many of the elements of the original tale. There are also great nods to panto history, with the show beginning with a declaration of conflict between good and evil, in the form of warring fairies. We even get the Pool of Youth and Mama Goose’s transformation, as is traditional.
Mama Goose has a whole flock of endearing geese, at least until the Tax Man arrives, but thanks to the Wholesome Thoughtful Fairy, she gains another one called Gary, whose flying and egg-laying take goose acting to a whole new level.
Meanwhile, the Bougie Fierce Fairy is doing her best to cause trouble, creating AI Jill to distract Mama’s son Jack. This clever plot device leads to all sorts of confusions, and is one of the highlights of the production: but at heart, there is a romance between Jack and Jill, just as in productions of Mother Goose at this venerable theatre in the past. We also get some wonderful meta moments, like the self-deprecating signposting of Quick Change Happening.
The ensemble of two play a bewildering range of roles, including an appearance by Katy Perry in one of those bizarre events that are a hallmark of good panto. The three piece band combine with Hyman’s music to create one of the few pantos where the music is original rather than borrowed.
Duane Gooden plays possibly the only Ghanaian Dame in UK panto and delights the audience with his dialogue and easy repartee. His Westfield number is impressive and pays tribute to the more recent panto tradition of catalogue songs, but his is one of the few singing voices not heard clearly above the music, so we miss some of the clever words. A teething problem, perhaps, and it would be good to have that fixed.
As Gary the Goose, Che Walker is an East End geezer, another character with a long history in pantomime, including at this venue. Whether disguised as a baby in a pram or swinging from flying wires above the stage, Walker is always endearing and often very funny, and works well with Gooden’s Dame.
The impressive warring fairies are Ellie Seaton, resplendent in blue and pink sparkles, and Mya Fox-Scott, a born baddie, who looks the part in her sculpted and dramatic costume. Ensemble members Grace Venus and Jerome Lincoln shine in their cameo appearances and also work hard as numerous background characters, including the ultimate baddie Elon Musk, surely not his only panto appearance this year.
Perhaps the most impressive performances are those of the actors playing Jack Goose and AI Jill. Charlie Cameron gives a highly physical performance, picking up on all the nuances of the script and getting vastly more out of this female love interest character than has sometimes been the case. Opposite her, Marcellus Whyte is always in character despite the mayhem around him, and sings beautifully and with total clarity. In their duets, these actors make sure that every word is heard; important when such care has been taken to write original lyrics. Their surprise exit at one point delights many of the audience.
Production and cast are taken to a whole new level by the superb set and costume designs from Stewart J. Charlesworth. From the West African fabrics to the use of hard surfaces like plastic alongside textile elements for the costumes, and the stunning sets, full of egg shapes and little in-jokes (we love the three flying geese on the wall), this should be an award-winning design.
Always high in any panto-lovers hitlist, Stratford East have this year surpassed themselves. Two and a quarter hours of delightful bedlam, a show not to be missed – must be a contender for this year’s Panto Awards.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Chris Abbott
Mama Goose plays at Stratford East until 3 January, with further info here.
