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Hackney Empire are able to make Christmas as soon as once more, with a prime notch Mother Goose. All eyes are on grande dame Clive Rowe as the massive MG herself and this yr’s director. Tonight, we’re in ‘Hackneywood’, the city the place social media stars are made, likes are given and posts are shared. Fairy Fame (Gemma Wardle) wagers one remaining guess in opposition to Demon Queen (Rebecca Parker) that she can not corrupt the ultimate, non-vain and vapid Hackneywood resident, Mother Goose. If our baddie wins then all of Hackneywood can be changed into social media zombies and banished to Dalston (what horrors!!). This…
Rating
Excellent
Happy birthday Hackney Empire! 120 has by no means appeared so good, with a blinding panto to crown the yr.
Hackney Empire are able to make Christmas as soon as once more, with a prime notch Mother Goose. All eyes are on grande dame Clive Rowe as the massive MG herself and this yr’s director. Tonight, we’re in ‘Hackneywood’, the city the place social media stars are made, likes are given and posts are shared. Fairy Fame (Gemma Wardle) wagers one remaining guess in opposition to Demon Queen (Rebecca Parker) that she can not corrupt the ultimate, non-vain and vapid Hackneywood resident, Mother Goose. If our baddie wins then all of Hackneywood can be changed into social media zombies and banished to Dalston (what horrors!!).
This is fairly stable panto fare; there’s goodies and baddies, ‘it’s behind yous’ and loads of haze and pyro besides, which come collectively properly for a straightforward two and a half hours of foolish enjoyable. It’s good to see a robust ensemble and supporting solid too. Jack (Ope Sowande) and Jill (Holly Mallet) are vigorous accompaniment in a narrative the place all eyes are on the goose. Everyone has their very own jokes and place within the story, in Will Brenton’s barely tweaked, twisted and introduced up-to-date script.
The Hackney Empire have assembled a improbable workforce this yr within the sight and sound division. We gaze upon a beautiful take of previous and new as Hackneywood is seen in an exquisite fish-eye tromp l’oeil, lit with wonderful readability and precision by David W Kidd. We’re handled to cross generational panto covers from ‘What Becomes of the Broken Hearted’ to Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’, however the actual gems are the unique songs from Steven Edis. Toe-tapping, all-the-way-home whistling is assured with the charming Act II finale ‘We Have Reached Our Happy End’, prepared for a reprise subsequent yr, I hope.
The Rowestopper himself is reliably fab all through and is handled to some improbable frocks from designer Cleo Pettitt. He’s received fairly the pair of lungs on him and, bolstered by a sprightly band underneath path of Renell Shaw, is given ample alternative to carry the home down. The greatest dame within the sport, has smashed it with a prime notch Mother Goose.
Written by: Will Brenton
Directed by: Clive Rowe
Music by: Steven Edis
Costume design by: Cleo Pettitt
Musical Direction by: Renell Shaw
Lighting Design by: David W Kidd
Mother Goose performs at Hackney Empire till 31 December 2022. Further info and bookings right here.