Review by Marilyn Barber

Who knew a goose and two goslings could be so endearing?

An amateur panto is so much more than local people learning their lines and moving on stage, it’s a composite of choice of story, costumes, make-up, scenery, hours spent rehearsing and uplifting music.

Written and directed by Pam Mizon, Mother Goose tells the story of a kind and silly woman who has to escape the tricks of the local evil baron, who is trying to capture the goose that lays the golden egg.

Jemma Cable’s dancing as Priscilla the Goose, together with goslings Joe Campbell-Marsh and Lexi James-Clarke delighted both young and old in the audience, and full marks to the costume designers, Jackie Kirby, Sally Atkins and Avril Behling.

Not many men in their 80s have the confidence to take to the stage, still less, dressed as a woman in outrageous costumes, but Mike Andrews did just that as Mother Goose, and he really immersed himself in the part.

Charlotte Prosser as Jim put her all into the role of Mother’s Goose’s son, backed up with Fiona Kanczler as Jill, her daughter.

Bill Mason was very convincing as the baddie, Baron Wasteland, eliciting plenty of boos, with Alice Weller linking the scenes as the fairy.

Sally Atkins as the queen and KD Johnson as the king were suitably regal, with Keith Jobes, John Bounds and Ann Mason adding to the fun as the henchmen.

Jill Laybourne, Jackie Kirby, Lexi James-Clarke, Joe Campbell-Marsh and Sally Atkins played the villagers, and live music was provided by John Dickins and Steve Pattle.

Not only did this group provide entertainment for the village with four performances, it raised funds for Wimborne Food Bank Plus.