Review -Goldilocks and The Three Bears
December 8, 2008
Date Reviewed: 7th December, 2008
Venue: Customs House , South Shields
There is no better way to sum up Goldilocks and the Three Bears than to say it is the little show with the big heart. This year’s pantomime at the Customs House delivers on all fronts as the audience immediately connect with the Ray Spence, best known in the region as Tommy the Trumpeter, who plays the hapless son of Dame Dotty played by Bob Stott. These two regulars know exactly how to play to an audience and thankfully understand pantomime, which allows the fun to work so well. So while the show does not try to compete with the regions other main pantomimes, it has built its own regular following and delivers just under three hours of fun.
The story involves Dame Dotty’s Circus which is in danger of closing until Golidlocks, played by Lucy Rafton, stumbles across the three bears house. The Fairy Godmother, Suzanne Richardson in excellent voice, has arranged for the bears to speak and after befriending Goldilocks they return to appear in the circus ensuring sell out performances from now on. Radio presenters from local radio stations are used as the voiceovers for Mammy and Daddy bear allowing plugs for their respective stations.
Of course there has to be a baddy trying to spoil the fun and Peter Darrant as Boris Bratwurst fits the bill exactly. His characterisation, singing and acting were spot on and I look forward to seeing him again. While David Ducase, best remembered as part of the group Scooch who sang at Eurovision, plays Colin the Ringmaster.
The second half of the show is the strongest and when Spence and Stott have the stage to themselves during the human cannon ball scene and the final Nellie the Elephant sing-along things really move up a gear.
Songs and music from the hit Broadway and West End circus musical Barnum are predictably used throughout the show, but a song from the original Willy Wonka film certainly fits the bill for the Fairy’s opening number. While send ups of Abba and Alesha Dixons latest hit work very well and ensure the show is topical and fresh.
This is a funny, delightful pantomime that the Customs House has every right to be proud of, each year they move the bar that bit higher, so I am already looking forward to next years production.
John Dixon
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