Review: Goldilocks, an Easter pantomime at the Lens, Portsmouth Guildhall

A full house on a Sunday afternoon sat back to see Goldilocks save the circus from the evil Madam Mayhem (MM) with the help of Bubbles and Baby Bear, an hour of fun-filled antics, excellent choreography (well done, Charlotte) and tremendous singing (with special mention to newby Leah)

All the panto elements were on display (he’s behind you, oh no she’s not, booing the villain, 1-2-3 etc), delivered in fine style by Jenny (Goldilocks), Denzhel (Bubbles), Leah (Baby Bear) and Charlotte (MM), supported by 16 dancers, from tiny tots to young adults, in some excellent costumes and some really good dance routines, the tumbling tots a real highlight in one routine.

The set was simple but very effective, with two balloon-laden red and white towers and an astral backdrop of lights supplemented by subtle but very effective lights (special mention to tech, Joseph)

The story was pretty straightforward, best friends Goldilocks and Baby Bear want to thwart baddy MM, who wants to destroy their circus and take all the best acts for her own dark outfit,  MM hypnotises Baby Bear, Goldilocks and Baby Bubbles rescue Baby Bear, turn MM into a good person and all live happily ever after. Ahhh!!! It might sound a tad twee but the performances enthral the audience, especially the toddlers (not easily done), orchestrating audience participation in an assured way, all the cast easily interacting with audience members

The script is on point and the songs very well chosen, including Put a Little Circus in Your Life, Show Must Go On (Queen), with Charlotte really on form, Shake It Off (Taylor Swift) , I Put a Spell On You, Tragedy (great dance routine) but a fabulous version of This Is Me by Baby Bear (Leah), one heck of a vocal range, so effortless, a wonderful version of a not-so-easy-to-sing song, the main highlight of several highlights

The youngsters were encouraged all the time to join in, which they did, although when it was said to help with the magic to turn MM good, one adult shouted out “need a lot of it”, Charlotte’s reaction was priceless; her invitation to hi to come on stage was not taken up…..wise man!!          

After the finale the cast stayed to get all the youngsters on stage to sing Baby Bear (Shark) and Shut Up and Dance plus retelling the story (Goldilocks “who’s eaten my chair” misspeak was hilarious and brilliantly dealt with by Jenny)

A very entertained audience left with a smile on their faces, the cast deserving all the plaudits for an excellent show. Go see their next show, you won’t regret it, details via  www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/   and   http://www.curtaincall-productions.co.uk/    or facebook for both

Ken Ebbens

Presenter on Flash radio