Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Winchester.

Theatre Royal Winchester have hatched a fantastic pantomime for the 2024 festive season with Mother Goose written by James Barry and Robin Belfield who also directed.

There’s something for all the family in this festive tale of love, vanity and acceptance. Where Jack Goose (Liam Watson) and Jill Squeezum (Daniella Agredo-Piper) have secretly fallen in love and need to find a way of convincing her Dad, Squire Squeezum (Andrew Wheaton) that Jack is suitable husband material.

Brontë Alice-Tadman in the Pantomime baddie role of Demon Vice is my favourite so far this season. Dressed in a gorgeous gothic black and red dress she encourages the audience to “boo and hiss” without any concern. The character revels in being disliked and engaging with the entire auditorium. As she takes on a challenge set by Fairy Virtue played by Libby Gore.

Head of wardrobe Beth Rose along with costume makers Corrine Paddock and Luke Wateridge have created an outstanding range of costumes for all the cast. The silver and blue shimmering outfit worn by Fairy Virtue balances the “good” against the black and red worn by Demon Vice. Along with the bright and bold outfits worn by Julian Eardley as the charismatic Mother (Gertie) Goose.

The adorable Priscilla Goose (Megan Prior) is an instant winner with the audience. The sparkling golden eggs that she lays are a bonus for Mother Goose, although it takes a while for her to realise the true value of Priscilla and makes a vane mistake that she requires help to rectify.

Several pantomimes this year have “surprise” characters in the show which are not mentioned in the programme. Mother Goose is one of them. See if you can make the connection when you see it. No spoilers about to be given out from me though and I hope others don’t either.