16 December 2016
The annual pantomime in the Garrison Theatre is an
honourably long-established part of the Shetland calendar; and a favourite part
of the Christmas season for many people, especially bairns. Nothing else in
Shetland today can match pantomime audience figures. This winter, Islesburgh
Drama Group presented its thirty-first pantomime, Mother Goose, and as
usual, it was a ten-night sell-out.
Islesburgh had performed Mother Goose twice before,
in 1973 and 1990. The programme featured photos of both previous casts:
interesting to compare. The script, of
course, has noticeably moved with the times – 'twitter' and 'strictly', for
example, have acquired other meanings over the years!
In panto, action is often exaggerated, and dialogue full of
wisecracks, word play, and puns. Up-to-date local references will be added to
the script. Lead characters lead with gusto. Villains must be – and look –
dastardly. High standards of costume, lighting and special effects are
expected. Interaction with the audience – as loud as possible – is compulsory. In all these respects, Mother
Goose certainly fitted the bill (oops, sorry...!).
The role of pantomime dame is critically important. It is a
role for a seasoned performer with great physical movement and facial expression:
one who can carry the stage and the auditorium, and simply give it laldy. And
George Webster was in top form as Mother Goose. Clad at first in homely
pinafore and a certain style of hat, he progressed through glittery pink
flounces to slinky black and gold – and back to the pinafore – with great verve
and energy, and an amazing collection of jokes about bras. (Anyone who didn't
see the pantomime this year really ought to ask around and find out what the
difference is between the Mareel bra and the Garrison bra!)
Priscilla, of course, lays the golden eggs which save Mother
Goose – and her friends and neighbours – from eviction from Goosingham, their
lovely nursery rhyme-style village (a very attractive set). However, riches
make the dame greedy and discontented, and she sets off on a quest for
restoration of her youth and beauty. Lighting greatly enhanced the scene
changes on her travels, particularly at the beautiful blue-lit Magic Pool.
(Sound effects were good too: for example, the Pool water level was out of
sight but the sound of the dame's splash dive was entirely realistic!) Mother Goose does become more beautiful, but
she remains in the Land of Discontent. Her family miss her, and are unhappy
too. The spell is only broken when Mother Goose starts to wish for the days
with her family, before she became rich. But first, Priscilla makes a trip home
to Gooseland. This scene was particularly memorable. The lighting had an soft,
ethereal quality, there was a great song ('Anything can happen if you let it'),
and the chorus was at its best.
Audience participation may vary a little from show to show -
but probably not a lot! On Monday evening, once the newcomers to panto in the
audience understood what was expected, interaction was enthusiastic. Under
strong direction from Silly Billy, and roused by the action on stage, the crowd
reacted with glee. The chase around the auditorium was particularly effective,
and roused the bairns to a pitch of excitement, while towards the end, the
singing of 'Never say Boo to a Goose'
rose to a fair old crescendo.
All in all, Mother Goose was a satisfying classic
pantomime, and provided a great night's entertainment. All praise to director
Jennie Atkinson and her whole team. The hard work and commitment of everyone
involved – the cast, the musicians and all those behind the scenes – was as
clear as the obvious enjoyment of the audience.
Laureen Johnson