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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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These shoes were made for laughter
Now listen up: Molly Coddle (Richard Ham) holds the company's attention in Goody Two Shoes. Goody Two Shoes
Highbury Theatre
Centre, Sutton Coldfield
*** THE story of
young Goody and her footwear has somehow never captured the imagination
of the panto-going public. In fact, after presenting myself at
pantomimes with surprising frequency every season for 26 years, I think
this is the first time I have seen it. This, I now realise, is
my loss – because in Paul Reakes's version we have a story that is happy
and funny. And in this production – with which Tony Rogers completes his
Highbury hat trick of pantomime direction – there is a lot of laughter
to ease us through the pleasurably panicky moments when it seems that
things are going wrong for our young heroine. It is a production that does not have a weak link
and which showcases three particular talents, one of which is the
delightful Jess Ingram, in the title role that she is sharing with
Kirsten Farrell. She has poise and confidence, bringing authority to
Goody without somehow leaving us with the feeling that this is an in-yer-face
occasion. We also have Danni Bentley, the magically happy
Elf Cobbler – a diminutive, squeaking sparkler with a captivating line
in smiles. And we have Jamie Ingram, half-pint in stature but big in
contribution – contribution in a pleasingly understated way as he gives
us Teddy Coddle, the son of Richard Ham's ebullient Molly Coddle, a dame
demonstrative in word and gesture in the best panto tradition.
This is an earnest, po-faced Teddy, much given to
confusing the clichés of the English language: Out of sight, out of
the frying pan and Don't count your chickens before they cross
the road, for instance. He's a Teddy who confesses that he is
allergic to pain but whose mother slaps his head at every opportunity; a
Teddy whose unassuming performance is just lacking an extra bit of
projection for the splendid lines he has been allotted. Oli Leonard offers sound suppport to Goody as our
hero Simon; and Keith Hayes, as the evil and pneumatic Septica, makes
much of the anguish of being trapped in high-heel shoes, though this
does not in any way limit the volume of boos that come his way. Suzy
Donnelly, the energetic and screeching Cissie, takes some of the
pressure off him when she assumes ownership of the magic shoes and we
decide that it is time to vent our righteous wrath on her. Charlotte Wetton and Karrise Willetts earn their
many laughs as the pleasing partnership of Rolo and Polo, though the
diction is not always good enough for the pace of their delivery. It is
pleasing to see Reg Tolley, Highbury stalwart these many years, coming
confidently to the role of Titus Tightwad. But I am still trying to work out why it was
necessary for one of the youthful handful of Villagers to have been
given a cotton frock to go with his beard. To 1.1.11. John Slim |
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