Goldilocks and The Three Bears at St.Helens Theatre Royal Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Rebecca Wong
This Easter Regal Entertainment and St Helens Theatre Royal have a real treat in store with their products of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. St. Helens is well renowned for its Panto productions and for good reason. Each year they bring us a range of wonderful, family-centred and fun shows and this Easter is no exception. You think you know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears but you only know part of it. Through the magic of panto, St. Helens Theatre shares with us the true events around that fateful meeting.
The full story tells us of Dame Gerties (played by Richard Aucott) circus with all its sparkle and glamour, her daughter Goldilocks (played by Katy McKenna), the hilarious Silly Billy (played by Lewis Devine) and the ringmaster (played by Benjamin Keith). The circus is struggling without a star act and with the arrival of a rival circus in town run by the evil Baron Von Vippemall (played by Conor Barrie) they need to save the circus and fast. The Baron is notorious for his cruel treatment of animals and his star act – the three bears played by Warren Donnelly (of shameless fame), Hannah Riley and Ionica Adriana escape his circus to their cottage in the woods. Only to find a sleepy Goldilocks in baby bear’s bead – I think you know how that transpired! Goldilocks seizes the opportunity and the bears agree to become the star act in Dame Gerties circus as a perfect hiding place. But the Baron has an evil plan to lure them back. Will good succeed over evil or will Baron Von Vippemall continue to be the RSPCA’s most wanted person.
The show was fun, entertaining and glitzy with its fantastic costumes and set. The dancers and circus performers added another dimension to the show also – look out for 3 furry dancers and I don’t mean the bears, a cameo by our very own prime minister and some impressive curtain work! The cast always has a way of involving the audience and making them a part of the show. It’s such a family-friendly theatre and although it’s a great show for the kids with lots of giggles, there is plenty for the parents. The staff are wonderful and friendly, adding to the experience of feeling a part of the night.
The storyline is fresh and interesting with a completely different twist on the traditional fairy tale, the jokes are current and the characters are fun. A special mention goes to Baron Von Vippemall – a hilarious and unique baddie in the panto world. Also, Silly Billy, whose boundless energy and talent for engaging the audience brought the show to life and made the audience feel a part of the cast.
Rating: 5/5
St Helens Theatre Royal is easy to get to being close to local train and bus links and is a few minutes’ walk from a car park.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears is showing until 14th April so there is still plenty of time to catch a show.
Tickets cost from £18 with concessions available and can be purchased at https://www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com/show/873654733/. I give this show a 5/5 and is an absolute must for some great family fun over Easter!