Goldilocks and the Three Bears - Altrincham Garrick

CHILDREN grow up so fast these days - that’s a phrase most of us are familiar with.

And its normally delivered by grim faced individuals who sound like they’re mourning a loss of innocence.

However, on the opening night of the Garrick’s ever popular panto they all knew exactly when to boo and hiss in all the right places after receiving hardly any motivation from a cast who made it their mission to ensure the kids, even the big ones, left the theatre with a smile on their faces.

They also new all the words to Nelly the Elephant, a song I can remember sing along to even though my own childhood is now a dim and distant memory.

A tribute, of course, to director Joseph Meighan and the cast including Daniel Ellis, great fun as Silly Billy and, at the scary end of the spectrum, Alexander Day as the panto’s baddie, Ringmaster Heinkel, a character whose name is routinely mispronounced all night by fellow cast members.

Personally, I would have loved to have seen Meighan play the role of the Dame, a part he’s sharing with Matt Spilsbury, if only to see if he’s shaven off his beard to play the part.

Beverley Stuart Cole - pictured - has a strong presence as Mystic Sharon. Peter and Meg Brassington, a couple in real life, play Daddy and Mummy Bear.

I was also very impressed by the performances of the younger members of the cast, in particular the dancers who didn’t put a foot wrong all night as they rose to the challenge of performing in front of several hundred people, a challenge that’s enough to fill many of us with a real sense of dread.

Until January 4. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 and you also can book online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - 3.5 out of 5.

Photo by Martin Odgen.