Ayr Gaiety panto 2024: Mother Goose review

Updated: 7 days ago

Ayr Gaiety panto 2024, Mother Goose cast. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Mother Goose | The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr | Christmas Pantomime 2024

Written by Fraser Boyle and Ken Alexander

Directed by Ken Alexander

The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr | 23 November 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mother Goose is kind but poor. She lives in an old boot with her daughter Alice and adopted goose-son Kelvie. When her trusting nature lands her in debt, the family lose their home. But a touch of panto magic and a run in with the wicked Diavola soon change their path. Will Mother Goose be tempted by money and vanity? Will Alice get into university? And just what is wrong with Kelvie Goose's bum?!

Written by the talented in-house team of Fraser Boyle and Ken Alexander, Ayr Gaiety's 2024 Christmas pantomime is yet again a festive delight to rival any of the big-city, big-budget panto offerings.

With a lively mix of physical comedy, catchy songs and impressive dance numbers, this Mother Goose tells us a complete moral tale while also leaving plenty of time for the traditional panto mischief and shenanigans.

Fraser Boyle and cast in the Ayr Gaiety panto 2024, Mother Goose. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Some of the brightest stars in Scottish Theatre have descended on Ayr this year for panto season. This is an all-star cast to equal any in pantoland.

Fraser Boyle plays panto dame Mother Goose in a way that only Fraser Boyle can. He's completely fearless. Boyle decisively shows off his comedic acting talents in a scene with a 'leather worm' that honestly needs to be seen to be believed. It harks back to the absurd panto sketches of old and was a real crowd-pleaser. It's remarkable what can be achieved with a feather duster on a string if you have an outstanding cast to play against it!

Completely different in tone, Boyle's performance of a Scottishified 'Vogue' later in the show is not only hilarious but exquisitely done. He may strut around the stage in full panto dame makeup and happily be the butt of many a joke, but make no mistake - there's an extremely talented actor under all that stage armour. Fraser Boyle is a glorious Mother Goose.

Dani Heron and Fraser Boyle in Ayr Gaiety panto 2024, Mother Goose. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Filling the panto princess role this year, Chiara Sparkes as Alice Goose is a stunning sidekick for Boyle to bounce off of. Assured, charismatic and with a voice worthy of any west-end stage, Sparkes is a shining light on the Scottish theatre scene and a perfect panto leading lady.

The fabulous Dani Heron dons the baddie's robes to play the evil Diavola. With her animated facial expressions and superb stage presence Heron ensures that there are plenty of boos from the audience but without terrifying the kids. We are also treated to a solo from Heron; her 'Victory song' is brilliant - the striking staging and performance make for an epic musical number. The choreography from Sarah Wilkie is a highlight throughout the show.

The Golden Goose himself, Kelvie Goose is played by the brilliant Jamie McKillop who's comical antics and loud honking produced not only some rather large looking golden eggs, but roars of laughter from the kids. McKillop has the perfect energy to bring a fantastical character like this silly goose to life, and he's one hell of a dancer.

Supported by the great Gavin Jon Wright as Hugo McNupmtie, a strong ensemble adult cast and a company of adorable junior dancers, the Goslings, this is a pantomime with a cast at the top of their game who will make every effort to entertain you and your family from the first sparkling second to the last.

Mother Goose at Ayr Gaiety is supported this year by inclusive theatre company Solar Bear. Solar Bear work with deaf and hearing actors, theatre makers, artists and young people to reach those often excluded from the arts.

This production is the first of its kind at The Gaiety to feature actors delivering performances in both BSL and spoken English throughout. And for the first time in Scottish theatre history two deaf actors are fully integrated into the pantomime performance. Bea Webster (Angel) and Benedetta Zanetti (ensemble) use a combination of BSL, Sign Supported English and Visual Vernacular, while other cast members perform in spoken English. There is plenty of foot stomping and arm waving which the audience join in with gleefully. It's a joy to behold and a beautiful example of inclusive and accessible theatre. Bravo.

Mother Goose looks stunning. The quality of the lighting design from Wayne Dowdesell, together with the glittering sets from Mark Walters and eye-catching costumes by Alisa Kalyanova are exquisite.

With superb music played by the fabulous live band and exemplary sound design from Fraser Milroy, this is a top quality professional pantomime at a mid-budget price.

Ayr Gaiety panto 2024, Mother Goose. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

The new, original Mother Goose story written by Alexander and Boyle is perfectly judged for the pantosphere. We get a full, satisfying story arc as well as some traditional panto embellishments such as many opportunities to shout "he's behind you"' as well as the all important sing-along (bring doon the cloot!) There are loads of Ayrshire references scattered throughout the script - which always raise a smile - and a real feeling that the show has been written with genuine love and appreciation of both the venue and the people of the town - which indeed it has. Some of the jokes are definitely racy, but they should fly over small childrens heads. It's such a difficult job to write a piece of theatre that will entertain all ages, but with Mother Goose, Alexander and Boyle have been entirely successful (again.)

Although beautiful, there were perhaps just one too many ballads in the show, and Act One in particular could do with one more familiar, upbeat song or dance number to keep the energy up. Act Two on the other hand is a riot from beginning to end. With an overall running time of 130 minutes plus interval, this show may be on the lengthier side of the family-friendly pantos on offer this year too. But with ticket prices ranging from just £11 - £35, the value for money here, for a panto that demonstrates exceptional quality in every aspect of the production, is unmatched.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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