MOTHER GOOSE To 9 January.
Oldham.
MOTHER GOOSE
by Eric Potts.
Coliseum Theatre To 9 January 2009.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.
TICKETS: 0161 624 2829.
www.coliseum.org.uk
Review: Stoon 4 December 2009.
High in Omegga Entertainment.
This Goose turns out a highly watchable and entertaining slice of seasonal fayre – stuffed with tradition but not overcooked to mush. It retains a theatrical flavour thanks to a script which never strays far from the narrative, coupled with Kevin Shaw’s brisk direction, which respects traditional elements of audience participation, girls dressed as boys, topical references et al, but keeps them incidental to the main event.
Every good Christmas show needs a sprinkling of stardust and there’s Dame Edna levels here, courtesy of a wonderful performance by Fine Time Fontayne, whose Mother Goose anchors the entire production. Visually, it’s not just the outrageous costumes he dons but the whole preening performance of self-ridicule, innuendo, impromptu banter and asides – most of them adult-orientated.
There’s solid support from his son Billy Goose (Richard J Fletcher), whose energy and enthusiasm make his simpleton character ultimately endearing, and the Squire’s daughter Jill (Nicole Evans), a suitably Disney-esque vision of blond purity. Patrick Bridgman as the nominated ‘upper class twit’ injects the Squire with sufficient credibility and humanity to ensure we never yearn for his downfall.
The pivotal axes of good and evil as represented by Fairy Feathers (Linzi Mathews) and the Baron of Discontent (Andonis Anthony) seem a trite token. The Baron dresses in imperial Darth Vader black and oozes spoken menace, but it’s all hot air despite the odd spell Linzi Mathews is better utilized as Priscilla, the golden egg-laying goose, whom she portrays with dignity and effective goose-squawk. Amy Rhiannon Worth’s cross dressing Colin Goose was born to slap his/her thighs, but doesn’t seem the type to sweep Jill off her never fleet feet - but then true love knows no boundaries.
The young local dancers show good choreography plus excellent facial and physical expression too. The set’s light and airy and the appearance of the geese as arm-puppets from behind a host of backdrop window openings is akin to a dozen Emus in the house.
There’s a real community feel to the evening and the production satisfies all ages. Which makes it a rare and tasty bird, even for vegetarians.
Baron of Discontent: Andonis Anthony.
Squire Squander/King of Gooseland: Patrick Bridgman.
Jill: Nicole Evans.
Billy Goose: Richard J Fletcher.
Mother Goose: Fine Time Fontayne.
Fairy Feathers/Priscilla: Linzi Mathews.
Colin Goose: Amy Rhiannon Worth.
Director: Kevin Shaw.
Designer: Celia Perkins.
Lighting: Thomas Weir.
Sound: Lorna Munden.
Music Director: Dave Bintley.
Choreographer: Beverley Edmonds.
Fight director: Renny Krupinski.
Assistant choreographer: Zoei Cozens.
2009-12-08 01:21:23