KD Theatre productions are once again in residency at Hartford's Grange Theatre for this year's pantomime, 'Goldilocks And The Three Bears'; a colourful and fast-paced, high-energy romp with a circus theme.
The story - for what it is worth - centres around Dame Betty Barnum (Joe Docherty) and her son Silly Billy (Joey Warne), with their best friend and circus helper, Goldilocks (Bethany Jayne Wynn), defend their circus and overcome the evil Ringmaster (Michael Loftus) who has set up a rival circus and intends to see to their downfall. The traditional story of Goldilocks - and the one scene that we all know being the porridge, the chairs and the beds being eventually 'just right' - was given less than a passing nod this evening and the three bears and Goldilocks shoehorned incongruously in to this tale. Although the bears themselves (Mollie Kate Angus, Jonny Wakeford, and Eddie Manning) were quite engaging and worked well inside those large and hot costumes!
From the start the volume was far too loud and was absolutely not pitched correctly. The sound levels were obfuscating the dialogue and the pitch of the music, and invaded our thoughts and concentration. There were several traditional panto routines etc in this show, and one, which I have not seen for a very long time - a precious object being left at the side of the stage - made me smile... at least one company out there remembers this as a traditional routine and has not forsaken it! However, not enough consideration was given to the young audience members this evening. and the few times we did get the responses going, they were very short lived. No-one went up on stage, not even for the song-sheet, and the group of young dancers (four different groups, and assume they are from a local dancing school) were so underused and ineffectual - not their fault - that they might as well have not been there!
Docherty's Dame was camp and fey, and more Joe Lycett and Boy George than the brusquer and butcher traditional dame; whilst Loftus's line in thick, incomprehensible cod accents was impressive! However, The Three Bears were very pleasing, and Warne's unstoppable energy as silly Billy made up for this.
The company had chosen to use pre-recorded backing tracks for all of their music too, which is, for this reviewer at least, a faux-pas too far. And despite Mark Aldous being credited as Musical director and arranger, there was no sight nor sound of live instruments this evening.
Upbeat, swift, and picture-book quality, but not the best I have seen from KD Productions.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 16.12.23
on - 16.12.23
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