'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' Review
"As ever the Rose is offering a superb alternative to panto."
Venue: Richmond Theatre. Get directions.
Our verdict:
The title may not immediately inspire panto familiarity but rest assured, plenty of festive fun and corniness galore is definitely on the cards at Dame Betty Barnum’s Circus this Christmas.
The storybook tale of Goldilocks and her encounter with the three bears is here set against the ritzy backdrop of circus life in the Big Top, Betty herself played by veteran panto dame Nigel Ellacott in gloriously flamboyant fashion as she battles to save her show from the clutches of the villainous Countess Von Vinklebottom - cue jokes - (a wonderfully vampy Jessica Martin), who is notorious for her cruelty to animals.
Aiding Betty’s mission is loveable, lovelorn clown Joey ( Matt Baker) and Ringo the Ringmaster (Phil Walker), both of whom are geniality personified, Baker demonstrating an impressive range of acrobatic skills including a stint on the high wire, whilst Ringo keeps the jokes flowing in abundantly cheesy panto style.
Given that all is circus-themed rather than occupying more traditional terrain, there are a couple of performers on hand - Phil Hitchcock’s dextrous Magical Mysterioso and the seriously impressive juggling of El Mariachi Marquez which does rather prove the show’s standout moment.
It would have been good to see Martin’s talents used in more fulsome fashion but she does make every appearance count, as does the terrific Ellacott, whose fluttering eyelashes and ever-more ludicrous garb brighten proceedings considerably.
The Three Bears - including tap-dancing Baby Bear - have one scene reminiscent of the fairytale when Joey and friends infiltrate their den and there are lots of delightfully daft skits along the way, highlights being the musical flag pun routine plus Betty Barnum’s elongated striptease number which displayed the breathtaking ingenuity of her outlandish costumes, all of which Ellacott designs himself.
Overall Goldilocks offers more unusual panto fare but generally works well, the mega-watt staging capturing all the garish appeal of the circus and giving just the right flavour of seasonal cheer for Christmas, all ably abetted by a strong and very engaging cast.
