| The Golden Goose | - written and directed by Charles Way
- 25 Nov - 13 Jan
- Library Theatre
- St Peter's Sq, Manchester
- Tickets: 0161 236 7110
|
Way’s recipe for success this year involves scrambling the Brother's Grimm fairy-tale of the same name with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to give the original short story legs. Albeit with webbed feet. Fairy magic sprinkles down on the main characters - a poor single mum struggling to bring up two boys and a widowed King with his two daughters – and of course it all ends happily ever after with a wedding or three. (Oops. Given the ending away...) 'Magical' | "What really matters is what my kids, aged 4 and 6, thought: they both loved it, found the whole thing 'magical' and sat with barely a fidget" | | Richard Turner, reviewer |
Paul Stocker delivers an energetic performance as the unlikely yet likeable hero Dummling. William Finkenrath and Rebecca Smart conspire to create Puck-like mischief as the naughty fairies Meek and Humble. And Stephen Finegold is also excellent both as the Fairy King and in his Einstein-inspired cameo as the hermit inventor. Some of the choreography I found odd, with characters lifting each other across the stage for no apparent reason. And, if I'm honest, there were times when the 2hr 15 mins running time dragged for this particular grown-up. ButÌýwhat really matters is what my kids, aged 4 and 6, thought: they both loved it, found the whole thing 'magical' and sat throughout with barely a fidget. And ne'er a sweet wrapper was heard. So if panto tastes like festive fast food, try this for a Christmas treat while your children still have a shred of innocence: Take a golden egg, whisk with Shakespeare and add a pinch of fairy magic. Infinitely more wholesome.Ìý | 
![The Golden Goose [pic: Library Theatre]](/staticarchive/5e06b0336beba39de40c249aa7fb8e13a067f62a.jpg)
