A great British pantomime

Mother Goose, Exeter Northcott, Thursday 3 December, 2009 to Saturday 9 January, 2010

Steve Bennett returns to Exeter Northcott this Christmas for his fourteenth year as Exeter Northcott’s pantomime dame.

Steve has become something of a local celebrity thanks to his role in the annual production. This year, playing the title role in Mother Goose, he gets to take centre stage at the heart of this much-loved tale.

The production continues Exeter Northcott’s tradition of offering classic family Christmas entertainment complete with songs, dance and high energy comedy.

Mother Goose is the oldest of the great British pantomimes, first performed in Covent Garden in London in 1806. It tells the story of Mother Goose, a poor but kind-hearted woman whose fortunes improve when she befriends Priscilla, a goose who lays golden eggs.

Written by Steve Bennett and Michael Kirk with Exeter Northcott’s Creative Director Rebecca Manson Jones, this version is rooted in pantomime tradition.

While developing the script, the team researched more than a dozen previous productions of Mother Goose, and have written a version full of great songs and snappy jokes.

Jens Demant Cole’s ingenious colourful set has a picture book quality, inspired by the Great Western Railway publicity posters of the 1920s and 30s. Becky Hawkins has created outrageous costumes to match.

Steve Bennett said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be writing the pantomime for Exeter Northcott.The Northcott panto has been a huge part of my life for the past 14 years and it doesn’t get any better than to be able to write for and lead the cast in a pantomime in your home town.

“The joy of Mother Goose is the wonderful journey the audience is allowed to take and for any panto dame Mother Goose is the Hamlet of all roles.”

The production’s director Rebecca Manson Jones added: “Mother Goose continues a season of firsts for Exeter Northcott. After producing the first great modern drama, A Doll’s House, in September, we’re now tackling the first great modern pantomime. The goodies are good, the baddies are bad, and the story has a timeless pull which keeps us hoping for the happy ending.”

Two teams of local schoolchildren will be singing and dancing alongside the professional cast in Mother Goose as part of the Young Chorus.

Boys and girls aged nineto 15 are taking part in this fantastic opportunity to experience what it’s like to be involved in theatre.

More than 70 youngsters attended the auditions on Saturday 10th October.

A special gala performance will take place on Sunday 13 December at 3.30pm. This includes pre-show children’s entertainment, free ice-cream and goody bag for every child, and a chance to meet the pantomime characters. Fancy dress is optional. This is a fundraising event to support the work of the Northcott Theatre Foundation. Tickets are £17 to £25, with no concessions.

Listings Information
Venue: Exeter Northcott, Exeter
Dates:    Thursday 3 December to Saturday 9 January
Time: 7pm. Various matinees at 12pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 4pm
Tickets: £11 to £25. £2 off for concessions on selected performance. Schools £7 for groups of 10+ on selected performances
Box Office: 01392 493493
Website: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

BSL Signed Performances and Audio Described Performances Thursday 7th January, 1.30pm and Friday 8th January, 7pm.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts