Grand Opera House York – until Sunday 8th January 2023
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
3 ½ ***
Berwick Kaler and the gang are once again gracing the stage at the Grand Opera House York with this years pantomime, The Adventures of Old Granny Goose. Along with Berwick, Martin Barrass, Suzy Cooper, David Leonard and AJ Powell, have such a following who come to see them year after year, a true York institution. There were a few in attendance on Press Night, having a whale of a time.
Berwick, as always, is the writer and director of this panto, this year working with UK Productions. As with all his panto’s, the plot is very loose and not quite what you would expect.
Set in Acomb, a suburb of the wonderful city of York, Mrs Plum Duff (Berwick) lives with her two children Jessie (Martin) and Cissy (Suzy). They are struggling in these desperate times, until the arrival of a huge goose, who honks a lot, but also magically lays a golden egg. That is until the dastardly Lucifer Nauseus (David) gets wind and, though he is terrified of geese, his greed overcomes any fears, he needs that goose and plots to achieve his goal, with the help of a fairy, also played by the charismatic Suzy.
Berwick relishes going off script and has his fellow cast members trying so hard not to break down in laughter and remain somewhat professional. This made for great comedy. His costumes are aplenty, and an improvement on last years. With some aerial work, yes by him, he certainly utilises the stage to its full advantage. After a dip into the fountain of youth, he reminded me so much of a family member, can’t say who, before bursting into song with a take on the 1990’s hit, Barbie Girl.
David is superb as the baddy and really plays up to the audience, encouraging more and more boos, very theatrical. His costume is wonderful, with a long red devil tail, that doubles up as a phone. I am so envious of his fabulous legs, I’m pretty sure that I have mentioned them in the past. The performance of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day with Suzy and AJ was a highlight, with the latter two frequently switching roles as the fairy. Check out AJ rocking the blonde wig and tutu, very Rebel Wilson.
There was a bit of Rocky Horror Show inspiration in one of the ensemble numbers, with the costumes and music, I do enjoy a bit of Rocky Horror. Jake Lindsay is in his 10th year of working with the team and he plays his role, as Jakey the Lad, who just wants a larger role after all this time, with such sweet innocent enthusiasm, but is constantly criticised by Berwick. Also joining the stage were some young performers from York Stage School, who performed with gusto, especially one young girl, she looked like the youngest and was quite mesmerizing to watch, full of exuberance.
Berwick’s Old Granny Goose is full of mayhem and just what you would expect from an unconventional Berwick panto. Whilst it may not appeal to traditional panto lovers, you never know it until you try it, it is worth a punt, and you never know, you may be the lucky recipient of a Wagon Wheel (you have to see the show to get where I’m coming from).