REVIEW: Mother Goose at Sheffield Lyceum

Mother Goose Sheffield Lyceum until January 7

Mother Goose

Sheffield Lyceum

until January 7

THE Sheffield Lyceum theatre is pulling out all the stops this year for its pantomime in celebration of the greatest panto dame that ever lived, Damian Williams.

Williams has been treading the boards at the theatre for ten years and if you have never seen him perform then I couldn’t recommend it enough.

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He is one of the funniest actors I've ever come across and the show’s writer Paul Hendy couldn’t be more right when he describes the veteran as Tommy Cooper, Sid James and Eric Morecombe all rolled into one.

He has that rare ability to be able to make parents and children roll around in fits of giggles — and last Tuesday night's performance was no exception — I think my sides are still aching from laughing!

This year, Williams is taking on the lead role of Mother Goose alongside Jake Canuso, who plays Mateo in ITV's Benidorm.

Canuso takes on the role of the panto villain, while children’s favourite Andy Day from CBeebies plays Mother Goose's wholesome son, Billy.

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Lisa Phillip gives the role of the fairy a much-needed revamp and with her Jamaican twang and bags of sass she runs rings around the villain — and delivers plenty of belly laughs, too.

Williams’ costumes are even more outlandish, ridiculous and hilarious than ever and he’s at his best when he; ad-libbing.

Even the cast found it hard to keep a straight face.

Canuso is the vainest baddie there ever was and ladies, watch out for his cheesy chat-up lines!

He even shows off some of his impressive flamenco dancing skills alongside the talented ensemble.

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The second act brought with it a big surprise as the show went 3D and Williams was hoisted up into the air aboard his magical goose.

The audience donned their complimentary 3D glasses and ducked and dived as giant geese flew out over the crowd and “rain” fell.

Everything is bigger, better and shinier this year and is definitely worth a trip before the run ends on January 7, even if Rotherham is the butt of a few jokes (perhaps save your boos for those cheeky quips).

To buy tickets, visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk to book or call 0114 249 6000.