Mother Goose in the Woods

Christmas is just around the corner and so are school holidays, meaning organising activities for the kids. King Street Theatre in Newtown will be hosting a number of school holiday shows, including Mother Goose in the Woods. In this live show Mother Goose will tell a number of fairytales to the audience. You’ll see modernised versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk and a special visit from Santa.

The twist to this performance is that it’s a pantomime where kids can yell and talk to the cast as they’re performing, they even get to decide the ending.

Actor Simon Ward is playing all four villains in the pantomime––The Big Bad Wolf, Tony Abattoir, The Old Wicked Witch and The Giant (plus Santa). Ward said this play is accessible for all ages and there’s a lot of jokes for adults too.

Ward also expressed his love for pantomime in Australia, because it’s a rare occurrence nowadays and when it happens everyone gets into it.

“Doing the panto in Australia is fantastic because it is a brilliant thing when people see it, they think it’s amazing. Producers have been reluctant [to use pantomime],” he said.

He also gave credit to the writer and director of the play Maria de Marco, who has been open to suggestions and experimenting from the cast: “Immediately the cast is on side and it’s fun. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s great to be able to chuck them in and say ‘lets not do that again and try this’. It’s been a really rewarding experience.” (AMal)

Dec14–23. Monday to Friday, 10.30am & 1pm. King Street Theatre, Level 1, 644 King Street, cnr Bray Street, Newtown. $15-$25. Tickets and info: kingstreettheatre.com.au