Team B Productions always deliver a very professional show with their pantomime, but this year they have surpassed themselves. Mother Goose is their best panto yet, and you wouldn’t think you were watching an amateur theatre group at all. This slick, professional and very funny.
A good panto dame can make or break a production, and this one has an absolute belter with Mother Goose herself at the very centre of the story. Wayne Burns is, as always, a consummate professional and plays the part perfectly. He also wrote the script, which is packed full of gags for all ages, and directed the show with a great pace so that the action doesn’t flag, and the songs drive the story forward.
Mother Goose’s sons also provide a lot of the comedy in the show. Jack Goose, played by Matt Piercy, is our romantic hero in love with the Squire Purchase’s (Marcus Ward) daughter, Jill, played with charm by Sky Henson. Toby Young showed great comic timing as Silly Billy, who sells poor Amber the cow (Jake Robinson and Kelly Eagle) at market in exchange for Priscilla the Goose (Lauren Major).
A standout performance was Noleen Skudder as the villain Demon Dark Heart, who was gloriously wicked, had great stage presence and audience interaction, along with a strong singing voice. I loved the dance she did, which was a nod to a TikTok trend. She was ably assisted by her henchwoman Gonk, played by Vici Hadfield, and the two worked well together.
Grace Clutterbuck is a cheery presence as Fairy Good Feather, along with Mandy Baskett as Mayor Goosepimple, Patrick Norman as The Storyteller, a supporting performance from Deborah Paul and the charming dancers from the Chloe Kinrade School of Dance, they make up the rest of this talented cast.
I must also mention excellent musical direction by Tom Horton and wonderful lighting, sound and effects by the team Stephen Ginger, Sonny Cracknell, Shaun Emmerson ( SE Audio) and Ron Bloomfield.
Tickets for next year’s Team B panto, Sleeping Beauty, have gone on sale already, and if you don’t want to miss out on great local entertainment, then get booking now.
Visit the Leiston Film Theatre Website for Sleeping Beauty tickets.
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