The Theatre Royal Stratford East is currently hosting a flashy and festive spectacle that injects a heavy dose of modern satire into the traditional pantomime format. Mama Goose, the creation of Vikki Stone and Tonderai Munyevu, offers a boisterous carnival of colour and style, ensuring there is something for everyone this holiday season.
A Modern Fairytale with a Satirical Bite
This is not your typical panto. The story follows the haughty West African dame, Mama Goose, played with magnificent authority by Duane Gooden. Her journey from consumerist self-absorption back to goodness forms the spine of the narrative. The plot thickens when her goose, Gary – a golden egg-layer portrayed by Ché Walker – is birdnapped by the villainous BFF, sending our heroes on a rescue mission.
In a brilliantly contemporary twist, their quest leads them to hijack a rocket at SpaceX, where they encounter none other than Elon Musk playing a panto villain. The show is packed with satirical sideswipes, from sarcastic songs celebrating billionaires to dialogue critiquing the urban corporate landscape near the theatre itself.
Stellar Cast and Vibrant Design
The entire cast of eight seems to be having a ball, and their energy is infectious. Duane Gooden is a true star, not only driving the story but also delivering hilarious ad-libs during crowd interactions. Grace Venus appears as the Tax Man, and Mya Fox-Scott is notably excellent as one of the baddies.
The production is a visual and auditory feast. Stewart Charlesworth’s design transforms the stage into a vibrant carnival, while Robert Hyman’s Afrobeat-tinged score provides a lively and unique soundtrack. A subplot involving a principal boy and his AI love interest is both gleefully sent-up and thoroughly loveable.
While the narrative might not be the most coherent, it is a panto after all. The effort to turn this golden-egg fairytale into a parable for our flashy, trashy times is admirable and largely successful. Mama Goose is a panto to cherish, offering boisterous fun and sharp satire in equal measure.
The show runs at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, London, until 3 January.
