It's written by Chris Harris, directed by Chris Harris and stars Chris Harris. Despite the man's undoubted talent, methinks there is a little too much of the Bridgwater dame in this production. Pantomimes work on several levels, and for the children this show succeeds with plenty to spare. For adults though, the jokes are not near enough the bone, the asides are too few, and the story is a bit jumpy in places. Harris is brilliant, but a fresh writer or co-writer would take his performance away from the comfortable, and nearer to where he belongs - closer to the edge. Fairy Goodness and Mother Goose  | | Fairy Goodness and Mother Goose |
Anne Charleston (Madge Bishop in TV's Neighbours) was a glamorous Fairy Goodness, who was just a bit too nice. She has a strong voice, a certain stage presence, but could do with a slightly more worldly tone. Something was missing. She needed a bit more roughness from down under. Chris Harris, as Mother Goose, enjoyed himself, as he rattled through his tried and tested routines - which are worth the ticket money alone to see. Quick, precise and earthy, and with a good singing voice, he is the business. But at times, he appeared to be carrying the production on his own and spreading himself too thin. Mark Buffery as Demon Darstardly was at his best when sparking off Harris - especially in one memorable scene when they sang about a bee and some honeysuckle.  | | Demon Darstardly |
This was one of those great Harris/Buffery moments - one for the scrap book. However, I'm not sure he was frightening enough. He flagged up that he was the baddie too soon, and didn't perform some wicked act to prove his evilness earlier enough. Just saying you're bad doesn't admit you to the hellfire club automatically. Maybe the script could have given him something awful to do earlier on. Silly Billy, Jill, and Jack Mark James as Silly Billy had an appealing voice and attractive stage persona, and he did well as the loveable chump. As did Marcus Knibbs as Squire Twerton, who produced a comic character worthy of a TV pantomime from the 1970s.  | | Jack and Jill |
Speaking of which, this seemed to be the tone. The pantomime had a squeaky-clean television feel to it. Fine in its own way, but lacking any punch. Jessica Punch as Jill has a fine singing voice and a winning head-girl sort of personality, and she combined well with her slightly lacking-in-gusto Jack, underplayed by Christina Baily. Jack really needed a few more laddish asides and could have used that old panto standby of slapping his (or her) thighs from time to time. Old-fashioned stage magic Apart from Harris, the strength of this production is in its energy from the dancing.  | | Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing, with Jack |
Paul Wooller and Alain Terzoli provided the male support for Lara Dias, Alexandra Hardman, Danielle Miche, Megan Tiley, Isabella Watson and Amy Young. Alexndra Hardman and Amy Young in particular caught the eye with their unbounded enthusiasm. The young dancers from the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing provided wit, nimbleness and a deal of good old-fashioned stage magic. They melted the heart and gladdened the soul, and together with the ever-cuddly Priscilla the Goose, made this show a hit. The panto continues until Sunday 22 January, 2006. | 
