Anna-Jane Casey

Mother Goose

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A pantomime on a wet Wednesday in April might seem unusual but there’s nothing here that will dampen your spirits as the brilliant Ian McKellen leads the charge in this riotous night of fantastic family fun.

Penned by Jonathan Harvey and directed by Cal McCrystal, this updated version of the panto classic tells the wholesome story of Mother Goose (Ian McKellen) and her devoted husband Vic (John Bishop), who run an animal sanctuary for loveable strays inside an abandoned Debenhams. Unfortunately, they’ve fallen on hard times, owing an energy company an eye-watering amount of money, (don’t we all); if they can’t afford to pay up, they face eviction!

Thankfully good fairy Encanta (Sharon Ballard) enters their lives, gifting them with Cilla Quack (Anna-Jane Casey), a glorious goose who lays magnificent golden eggs! However, bad fairy Malignia (Karen Mavundukure) predicts Mother Goose’s new-found riches will change her, and not for the better; here’s where the fun and frolics really begin.

Ian McKellen is an utter joy to watch, generous in his performance he gifts us with an entirely captivating turn as Mother (Caroline) Goose. Watching his performance as the family matriarch is an absolute thill as the chance to forsake everything for her ultimate dream of fame and fortune is realised. There’s reminiscing about Middle Earth days as well as nods to Shakespeare, all while the gags keep on coming.

The laughter only stops for a spot of booing, hissing and of course a few bursts of ‘he’s behind you’ in this camp, colourful creation as Mother Goose frequents A-lister events including the Oscars, the World Cup as well as London Fashion Week before ultimately realising perhaps the trappings of fame aren’t quite all they’re cracked up to be.

Playing alongside McKellen is devoted husband Vic, portrayed perfectly by John Bishop. His comic timing is of course spot on and his warmth with the audience sets us up for a great night from the opening line. The on-stage chemistry between him and McKellen is something else, they’re clearly loving every moment up there and boy does it show. Add to this magnificent mix their son Jack, played wonderfully by Oscar Conlon-Morrey, and you’ve got the perfect recipe to keep an audience in stitches all night. Conlon-Morrey is a fantastic addition to this unconventional family, throwing himself wholeheartedly into the fun of the piece while Anna-Jane Casey gives a knockout performance as Cilla Quack. Her big solo during Act II comes close to raising the roof off the Lowry’s Lyric theatre, showing true star-quality shines through even when you’re wearing orange crocs!

The leads are supported by a multi-talented company of actors who deliver Lizzi Gee’s choreography with ease and add to the feel-good factor of this show with their delightful delivery as the sanctuary’s strays. Special mention must go to Simbi Akande as Jill, her vocals are incredible while, Genevieve Nicole as Puss/Camilla will ensure we never see Camilla Parker Bowles in the same light again, here’s hoping she brings out the castanets for the Coronation!

Mother Goose is the perfect tonic, a real ensemble production with each and every person on stage giving their absolute all. If this show is available on prescription, then order me a lifetimes supply! You’ll laugh your socks off and leave the theatre grinning from ear to ear, heart warmed and serotonin levels replenished. Super, silly, feel-good fun, delivered by a world class cast, superb!

Calendar Girls

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Cal

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

There can’t be many people who don’t know the magnificent story of the Rylstone & District Women’s Institute and their impressively innovative way of raising funds; but, if there are then lucky for them writer Tim Firth and long-time friend Gary Barlow have worked their collective storytelling magic to create a musical about the ground-breaking WI ladies.

When Yorkshire lass and WI member Annie (Anna-Jane Casey) loses her beloved husband John (Phil Corbitt) to leukaemia a seed is planted by best pal Chris (Rebecca Storm) to raise funds for a comfy sofa for the visitor’s room at Skipton General. These funds won’t be raised with a traditional raffle or tasty bake sale, but by the girls creating their very own ‘alternative’ calendar for distribution across the Dales.

There are tender moments throughout this moving piece, where tears threaten as the cruelty of life is played out, none more so than during Anna-Jane Casey’s emotional delivery of Kilimanjaro. These poignant moments are interspersed wonderfully with witty laugh out loud moments which firmly remind us that in life if we want to experience the highs we must also accept the heart-breaking lows.

As the idea of the ladies baring all inches closer to becoming a reality we see them wrestle with their own insecurities and daily battles offering the realisation that we all face similar difficulties and obstacles in life.

Firth and Barlow’s pairing is an impressive one, the script is warm, genuinely funny and entirely relatable while accompanying songs flow seamlessly as lyrical extensions of the script.

The reworking of this piece from its original 2015 incarnation sees some notable changes. The decision to opt for a celebrity based cast works well in part with each actor enormously likeable and engaging however the multitude of accents robs the production of its down to earth, grass roots charm and at times is distracting from the story. As the Yorkshire grit and determination is lost so its authenticity is watered down.

Likewise designer Robert Jones has scaled back the previous touring set, the green drawers and cupboards which created the rolling Yorkshire hills now replaced with a regularly opened gate, effective still but its impact not comparable.

Despite these quibbles Firth and Barlow’s superb storytelling still shines through as the cast take us on an inspirational story which turns tragedy into triumph.

Anna-Jane Casey and Rebecca Storm as best friends Annie and Chris are hugely impressive, pals through thick and thin their pairing is convincing and genuinely touching.

Karen Dunbar as Cara is hilarious, add to this a superb turn from the legendary Ruth Madoc who delights in every opportunity to raise a laugh.

There’s also a wonderfully written comedy sub-plot in which the younger members of the cast fight their own battles of teenage angst, first love and the absolute worst….embarrassing parents. Isabel Caswell, Danny Howker and Tyler Dobbs as Jenny, Danny and Tommo respectively are joyful to watch.

Calendar Girls portrays the inspirational story of the courageous women of Yorkshire with wit and genuine warmth, while there is sadness the bloody-minded defiance of these strong Northern women is there for all to see. Heart-warming in its delivery and inspiring in its message.

Calendar Girls is on at The Lowry until Saturday 10th November tickets available here.