Bristol Hippodrome has announced an all-star cast for a smash-hit production of Mother Goose this Easter. If you're missing the fun and festivities of the Bristol theatre's Christmas pantomime, Cinderella - which had its final show on New Year's Eve, family fun and laughter are billed to return this April.
Sir Ian McKellen will take the titular role in Mother Goose joined by the comedian and presenter John Bishop as Vic Goose. The Lord of the Rings star and Shakespearian actor will be letting his hair down for this hilarious and family-friendly show.
Mother Goose started at the Duke of York's theatre in London in December where it will remain until the end of January before embarking on a UK-wide tour. The production will visit cities such as Chichester, Liverpool, Oxford and Cardiff before concluding its run of shows at Bristol Hippodrome from April 12 for eight matinee and evening performances.
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The story follows Mother Goose (McKellen) and her husband Vic (Bishop) who run an Animal Sanctuary and live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. When a magical goose comes a-knocking, will fame and fortune get the better of them?
Mother Goose's first 'rags-to-riches' panto story was first written in 1902, but the original tale dates back hundreds of years ago. The 2022-23 production has already welcomed five-star reviews from critics, branded "pantomime perfection" by the Daily Telegraph and "genius" by Metro.
McKellen and Bishop are joined by Anna-Jane Casey as Cilla The Goose, Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Jack, Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Good Fairy Encanta and Karen Mavundukure as Evil Fairy Malignia. The cast is completed by Mairi Barclay, Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Becca Francis, Shailan Gohil, Richard Leeming, Genevieve Nicole and Laura Tyrer.
The production is written by Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street, Gimme Gimme Gimme) and directed by the award-winning Cal McCrystal. Set and Costume design is by Liz Ascroft, Choreography by Lizzi Gee, Lighting design by Prema Mehta, Sound design by Ben Harrison and Puppet Design and Creation by Chris Barlow. Casting is by Anne Vosser and the Production Manager is Ben Arkell.
Tickets for the Bristol leg of the production go on sale on January 4, 2023. Mother Goose is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Wessex Grove, Richard Winkler & Dawn Smalberg, Caiola Productions and George Waud for Groove International.
Bristol Hippodrome presents Mother Goose from April 12-16, 2023. Tickets are available from January 4 here
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