Mother Goose

Mother Goose
Written and directed by Maria de Marco. Emu Productions. King Street Theatre, Newtown, Sydney until December 22, 2014

It comes as a shock to Australians how huge pantomime is in England compared to the rare  offerings down under.  A British taxi driver once told me he was counting the days until the next million pound production came to his town. The theory is that Aussies love being outdoors too much over the Christmas period to make it a success here.

Hoping to reverse the trend in part is the King Street Theatre with a colourful new adaptation of the classic Mother Goose. This production is aimed very squarely at the littlest ones who are learning to read and enjoy recognition of nursery rhymes.

Mother Goose here is played by the indomitable Paul Holmes. His experience and panache holds it together.

The pantomime Dame has lost her Goosey Goosey Gander and all the other animals in nursery rhyme town have gone free range.   

An attractive set with rhymes on display with classic illustrations is the anchor for the production – allowing breaks in the action to recite classic verse.

There is a bit of a nod to Into the Woods as the characters get their wires crossed. 

Jack and Jill don’t get on very well, Little Miss Muffet is tired of her curds and whey and wants a real steak, Little Bo Peep not only can’t find her sheep but also complains that no-one knows the second verse to her rhyme and there are so many Jacks in nursery rhyme land  that it confuses the hell out of  a booming giant visible only by his large boot.

There are a few gags also only for the grownups when organic magic mushrooms get into the plot and the ever present threat from Tony Abboitoir always gets a laugh.

An appearance by Santa and a cuddly goose puppet round off the delightful hour of song, verse and frolic.

David Spicer

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