"Mother Goose" by Ben Crocker (5-9 Dec 2023)

Poster

Welcome once again to St Michael’s Players’ world famous pantomime. Another cracking script from Ben Crocker with extra goodness from Cecilia and others of the cast and crew. Mother Goose is a triumph of teamwork and I want to publicly express my deepest appreciation to the entire cast, band and crew for their commitment to the cause and their patience and skill managing a deranged director. I love you all.

I’ll tell you who else I love. You, our amazing world famous audience. All the panto-fantasmagorical-ness in the world is but for naught without an enthusiastic audience cheering us on.
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Sounds like the perfect recipe for yet another wonderful night together. There’s everything you need for a rousing start to the Christmas festivities and I hope you enjoy the production as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.

Reviews
​"Joyfully zany - it will quack you up. A local Christmas treat!!" Sara F"

“Excellent Mother Goosing last night and fun production that got us into the 🎄 vibe. Good luck with the rest of the run!” Greg H

"It really was fabulous" Maggie T

"So much fun, I'm looking forward to the next one already" Vicky T

"Congrats on directing another winner Chris!" Anon
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"Well done on another top performance - a lot of fun!" Penny H

"It was so much fun" Shruti C

"it was an amazing performance" Saagar S

"Chris orchestrated a fantastic Mother Goose pantomime, with a talented cast, vibrant singing, and contagious energy that made it unforgettable. Applause!" Brenda, Peter and Budge

"Another amazing show tonight!  Congratulations everyone!!  🤩❤🥳🎉🎊xxx" Tessa D

"It was such fun. Fabulous community event. I loved the kids fully participating and then being able to speak with the ‘stars’ afterwards. Merry Christmas 🎄🎊" Kate C

​"I have to say our evening watching St Michael’s Players' production of Mother Goose far exceeded Richard Curtis’ Christmas Actually in joy, slickness and overall sense of fun - but don’t tell Richard! 😂" Cherry R

"We really enjoyed the show, it really rocked along" Mary L

​"I think 2023 Panto was the best yet. You all did so well. It didn't seem like the first night. Hope you had fun" Jan P

"What an Amazing family night we had yesterday watching St Michael’s Players Chiswick performing Mother Goose. The cast are All Amazing and the whole experience was one of Fun & Laughter and a must to put you in the Christmas Spirt🥳🎄🤶🤩 Just Fabulous ❤" Colette S

"Great panto, thank you  - we all really enjoyed it and plan to make it a regular fixture in our Christmas diaries!"  Jill S

"The actors were like professionals!" Keith H

"The Panto was an absolute treat! Everyone absolutely smashed it and we had a great time. We couldn’t stop laughing and singing along and the band were completely sensational! Well done!" Carrie W

"Brilliant performance of Mother Goose. The entire cast was fantastic and was an evening of fun, joy and festive spirit" Paula O

"I went to see "Mother Goose" on Wednesday night and  I'm still smiling. It was a fantastic performance the cast were brilliant and there was a great feeling of community spirit, great start to the festive season. Well worth going and I can't wait for the next one.." Mary F

"We really enjoyed the Panto last night - it was such a polished performance, with all the traditional elements that make pantomime the ideal Christmas entertainment - and you all have such energy!   Please pass on our appreciation to the your fellow Thespians!"  Barbara

"I thoroughly enjoyed Mother Goose last night! The cast, sets and band were all on top form and a very good (and raucous) evening was had by all. The songs and choreography are always great too! I never miss a panto by St Michael's Players" Charlotte F

​"Before the day was over I wanted to tell you just how much my grandson Elliot and I enjoyed the panto - it was such enormous fun! Lovely to see him him so involved in what was going on, calling out and climbing over chairs to get to the tug of war. No wonder it is always sold out... 👏👏👏 to all involved." Gail S.

"Brilliant performance of Mother Goose. The entire cast was fantastic and was an evening of fun, joy and festive spirit" Paula O

"What a fun show Chris, our granddaughter loved it. Thanks for putting it together for us. See you in the new year" Neal T

"We haven’t been to a panto in years and forgot what a joy it is to watch with an audience buzzing with the energy of everyone participating. Especially the kids!" Phil K

"A really fun and special afternoon….And it looked as though everyone on stage enjoyed it just as much as those of us in the audience! Please can I already book my place for next year’s performance?’" Ruth B

"The St Michael’s Players’ Mother Goose panto Saturday matinee performance was such a joy to behold, increased enormously by watching the enchantment on the faces of the children especially when they helped the panto ‘heroes’ defeat the mean trolls in a tug of war! An absolute delight - fabulous performances, wonderful soundtrack and band, super slapstick, great gags and a really special community feel. Don’t miss it next year" Johan and Gerry K

"it was a fun evening on Thursday, well done for bringing another one to success" Ian T

"Another triumph last night – thanks for providing such great entertainment yet again" Caroline S

"Came to see Mother Goose last night, absolutely fantastic fun evening, thank you" Vicki R

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Mother Goose pantomime! It was incredibly funny, and their creativity with scenes and costumes was impressive. I had a blast and will definitely be attending again next year" Ines

"..thank you for the entertainment yesterday – we absolutely loved it… a superb performance from all of you and delighted to have represented the normal for Norfolk! Please do let us know when you have future performances and we will return" Oliver P, Norfolk

"What a fantastic evening - we didn’t stop laughing the whole time!!" Gina M (yes, the Gina), Redhill

"We’re still laughing this morning! … A truly fabulous night… looking forward to next year already" Linda H, Cheam

Pictures

Watch (and listen) again
A first for the panto - Interview with our director on Riverside radio. 28 Nov 2023. Chris' interview starts around 19mins in.
www.mixcloud.com/riversideradio/spotlight-281123-featuring-interviews-with-putney-theatre-company-and-st-michaels-players/

Programme
2023_mother_goose_programme.pdf
File Size: 1494 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Cast

SMORG (Alastair Dewar)
FAIRY AURORA (Rachel Fay)
MOTHER GOOSE (Paul Smith)
FREYA GOOSE (Stefanie Stretton)
HEIDI THE GOOSE (Rosie Copping)
BARON IVOR VON TRAKMEIND (David Burles)
GONK (Guy Fairbank)
SVEN (Alice Klapwyk)
THE GRAND HIGH SNOW GOOSE (Arabella Harcourt-Cooze)
CUCKOO CLOCK (Chris Jones)
BOSS SNOWMAN (Elizabeth Ollier)
SNOWMEN 1, 2 & 3 (Cecilia Coleshaw, Claire Richmond, Imogen Measday)
CHORUS (Cecilia Coleshaw, Claire Richmond, Christine Lee, Sue Darrieulat, Jo Harry, Chris Jones, Arabella Harcourt-Cooze, Imogen Measday, Amelia Barker, Elizabeth Ollier, Vicki Belcher, Rebekka Hyde, Srishti Sinha)

Band

Musical Director, Keyboards (Nick Lawrence)
Guitar (Utku Er)
Bass (Tony Wood)
Drums (Dominic Meloni)

Crew

Director (Chris Hulatt)
Stage Manager (Bryony Wilman)
Choreography (Rosie Copping, Chris Jones, Allison deFrees)
Lighting and Sound (Andy Rooney, Gareth Sammer)
Script Editor (Cecilia Coleshaw)
Costumes (Bryony Wilman)
Set and Props (Gemma Harris, Susan Johnson, Bryony Wilman)
Assistant Stage Managers (Susan Johnson, Marcella Richardson)
Make Up (Rosie Copping and the Cast)
Rehearsal Prompt (Kay Porter)
Curtain (Jacob Hodgins)
Publicity (Tessa Dunn)
Front of House (Members & Friends of St Michael's Players)