THE annual SNADS pantomime has always been anbig part of the society’s year, the large cast and crew meaning that almost every member is involved in some way to bring the February show to the audience.

This year experienced director Craig White joined debut director (and principal boy) Jessica Allen to lead a 34-strong team of actors, singers and dancers through Alan P Frayn’s version of the ever-popular Mother Goose, updated with topical, and occasionally risqué, jokes and current and old favourite pop songs. With the aid of an excellent quartet of musicians, playing piano, drum, acoustic guitar, bass and saxophone, dressed in splendid costumes and in front of a charming set, the show burst to life on the wide expanses of the Exchange stage – and into the auditorium, too.

The writer has taken a few liberties with the original story, but it’s all in pursuit of fun, and that is certainly what both the SNADS team and the audience were having. Giles Henschel may be a familiar face in the society’s productions, but this was his first bash at The Dame, and of course Mother Goose is the most difficult and challenging Dame of the whole pantomime repertoire.The Sturminster Mother Goose is heavily influenced by Drag Race and rather obsessed with the female upper support garment, but hilarious for all that. A little less-make up and mincing and it would have been perfection.

Jessica Allen is the spirited Colin, nephew of the squire and suitor of Jill Gosling (Lina Felsa), both enjoying their vocal duet opportunities and delighting the audience.

Alice Ralph as the knockabout Silly Billy electrified the audience with an easy charm and quick wit, and Eve Styles-Saunders was a lovely trainee goose princess, Priscilla, convincing both with her egg-laying preparations and her sad, abandoned departure. But of course it came out right in the end.

Like all pantomimes it is introduced by the good fairy, here personified by Tasmin Allen, but it’s the baddies that get all the attention. Squire Moneybags is a sleazy despot, sonorously encapsulated by George Lipop, and Mark Steggles and Paula Skinner are the comical bailiffs, Bill Bumpkin and Ben Bogtrotter.

Kirstin Graham uses her stupendous singing voice to REALLY emphasise Demona Discontent’s desires and depravity, thrilling and filling the cavernous Stour Hall.

The story of Mother Goose is all about a poor but good person who comes into riches, and quickly falls in love with their own celebrity status … it’s timeless and very relevant in these strange days.

The show is great fun, full of energy and invention. And the team is all ready when the curtain comes down on Saturday to start work on the 2027 panto, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears.

GP-W

Footnote to the poster designers – please try for a less gruesome image next year. I didn’t even recognise poor Giles, and the current poster would certainly scare the horses, let alone children!