Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Little Theatre, Gateshead Review
Photo by One Imagery.
Written by Stacy for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
I was back at The Little Theatre Gateshead last night and settled into my seat expecting a cosy panto evening, but Goldilocks and the Three Bears turned out to be far more than cosy. What unfolded was a bright and buzzing celebration of everything that makes this theatre so easy to love. Written by Philip Meeks and Lee Brannigan and directed by Brannigan, with musical direction from John Hudson and choreography by Chantal McCartney, this little panto understands its audience completely and delivers with absolute confidence.
The familiar tale of Goldilocks is stretched and sprinkled with enough sparkle to feel fresh without losing the comfort of tradition. The setting feels like a warm, funfair dream, complete with a circus edge that suits the story beautifully. It gives the characters room to play and encourages the audience to lean in as though we have been invited into a colourful secret world.
Lee Brannigan steps out in his alternate ego Bella Bluebell to become Dame Bella Big Top, and he is simply superb. He commands the stage with the sort of easy charm that makes you forget he is performing at all. His comedy came naturally, and he handled the audience with complete assurance. Every moment he was on stage the atmosphere grew brighter.
Melissa Cavanagh brings a witty and brilliant spark as Fannke the Fortune Teller. Many will remember her from season 5 of The Voice UK and her vocal talent is unmistakable. She sang with power and clarity and carried herself with a comic ease that made the audience trust her immediately.
Laura Fulgenzi was a sweet, spirited, and engaging Goldilocks. She brought just enough innocence to make the story work while also offering a modern sense of confidence that fit the pace of the production.
Chris McCreery as Ringmaster Schnizzlehouser clearly relished every moment of his villain role. He stepped into the spotlight with an energy that dared us to boo louder, and his strong voice filled the theatre with a sharp and wicked delight.
Then came the bears. Justin Alistair Ward, new to The Little Theatre this year, was commanding and full of life as Daddy Bear. His performance was detailed, expressive, and wonderfully animated. He has a superb voice and a real instinct for comic timing. Dawn Wolfe as Mammy Bear was warm, gentle, and perfectly lovable, exactly the kind of presence younger audiences cling to. Megan Laing as Baby Bear was cute as a button and then some. She bounced through scenes with an irresistible charm that made every appearance hers to own.
Rhodri James brought a joyful energy to Silly Willy. As another fresh face this year, he threw himself into the role with total commitment. His enthusiasm was so infectious that even the adults around me could not help cheering him on.
Of course, it would not be a panto without the familiar routines. The song lyric conversation had the audience laughing before it even truly began. The Buzy Bee moment was delightfully chaotic and the slop scene was a glorious mess that had children shrieking with happiness. The take off scene was packed with the usual silliness and movement and the prop song was so wildly ambitious it definitely would not pass any sort of Health and Safety test but it was outrageous and hilarious in the best possible way.
The dancers, from the babes to the principals, added a burst of colour and rhythm throughout and the songs were catchy enough to linger long after the curtain call. I would have liked to see the babes at the front of the stage a little more often because children love to watch other children perform and their bright, smiley faces were an absolute joy whenever they appeared. What struck me most was the sheer enthusiasm bursting from the stage. It was obvious that everyone was having the time of their lives and that energy translated effortlessly to the audience, lifting the whole room with it.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Little Theatre Gateshead may be small in scale but it is mighty in heart. I left smiling with that lovely sense of shared joy that only true panto magic can create.
Plays until 31 December.
★ ★ ★ ★
