Goldilocks and the Three Bears | Little Theatre, Gateshead
11th December 2025 | Review by Stephen Stokoe
Only my second pantomime of the season because I am busy with other projects this Christmas but I was delighted to take my family along to the wonderful venue that is The Little Theatre, Gateshead to see Lee Brannigan Productions’ (LBP) annual pantomime. This year LBP tackled one of the more ambitious pantomimes Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Set in the world of the circus, this pantomime is generally considered to be more technically difficult with ambitious set pieces and physical acting than, perhaps, Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. This production does not disappoint at all.
The story opens strongly in the very capable hands and vocals of Melissa Cavanagh as Fannie, The Fortune Teller – a departure from the usual fairy or mystic role. Cavanagh’s exuberant performance is one of many highlights of the show. She commands the stage in a way that is contrary to the delightfully ditzy and somewhat muddled medium character. This prologue also introduces the villain of the piece rival ringmaster Schizzlehouser played with an evil glint by Chris McCreery. McCreery quickly got the audience off-side with taunts eliciting the boos and hisses from the audience which always brings a smile to my face.
This paved the way for a colourful and jolly opening number with excellent singing and dancing from the company lead by Cavanagh in a rousing rendition of ‘Join the Circus’ from the musical Barnum. The choreography (Chantal McCartney) was consistently good and balanced throughout the production. Joining the children were the principal dancers Scott Brannigan-Howes, McCartney herself, and Victoria King. They are joined in most performances by Jack Robinson but who, I was informed, was involved in another production this evening. All of the dancers were present on the stage and took an active engagement to move the story along.
Next up we are introduced to the ‘princess’ of the story Goldilocks (Laura Fulgenzi) her dim-witted but well meaning brother, Willy (Rhodri James) and matriarch of mirth Dame Bella Big Top (director Lee Brannigan in his alter-ego persona Bella Bluebell.) Fulgenzi was every part the pretty princess as she bounced across the stage. Her vocals rang out but I do think the script (Philip Meeks and Lee Brannigan) rather under-utilised her obvious pantomime prowess. James is clearly at home with the comic sidekick character and the medium of pantomime. He quickly endeared himself to the audience and his comic timing is perfect including wrangling a somewhat incontinent baby elephant.
The star of the show and constant presence on the stage is Dame Bella Big Top as is only befitting a ringmistress. She holds the audience from her first ‘Hello, me hinnies’ to her final curtsey. The jokes come thick and fast in this fast-paced pantomime with visual and vocal gags to cater for the adults and the children alike.
The Little Theatre in Gateshead is very appropriately named. This does throw up some limitations in what you can do in the smaller space available. This did not phase LBP. The scenery (Ashley Bell and Thoroughly Theatre) looked lavish and well thought out. The lighting and sound (FX Productions – Grahame Pattison) were colourful and crisp and the costumes (Jean Fox, Lee Brannigan and Alan Graham) looked magnificent especially Dame Bella’s many fantastic frocks. The clown outfits for the principal dancers were also notable for being terrifyingly effective.
The Baddie often gets a show-stopping number at the opening of act two in pantomime and this was the case as Ringmaster Schizzlehouser channelled his inner Freddie Mercury to stunning effect. His exquisite vocals stunned the audience into silence as act two got underway and his singing talents were used significantly throughout. It was great to see McCreery back at The Little Theatre.
There are three characters I have not yet mentioned and they make a delightful entrance to the action through the auditorium. Musically, they are heralded not just once before they make their appearance in a delightful musical device by talented and much in demand local musical director, John Hudson, and that, of course, is the titular Three Bears. I do like the skin characters in pantomime but these fabulous furry creatures really get to own the stage in this production. Papa Bear is played with some glee by Justin Alistair Ward, Mama Bear with endearing love by Dawn Wolfe and an adorable but feisty Baby Bear by Megan Laing. All three engage with their characters and those around them brilliantly and their costumes only add to their cuteness.
Hudson’s choices of songs were excellent including up-to-date chart numbers and musical favourites, The songs inform the story and none of them felt shoe-horned in which is something that is easier said than done.
Panto would not be panto without some set pieces and this production supplies them by the bucket-load. There is a clever musical interlude segment – helmed by the inimitable Bella Big Top, a gloriously messy and chaotic slop scene, and a delightful take on the classic ‘If I Were Not in Pantomime’ in the place of a community song at the end of the show. All of the cast engage with the audience who are kept involved from beginning to end and they all thoroughly deserved the rapturous applause they received at the end of the last of a three show day. Despite this, the cast were happy to remain on the stage and take photos with the children including my delighted niece and nephew.
This pantomime and The Little Theatre has a very big heart. There is something for absolutely everyone to enjoy. A lot of attention to detail has been lovingly put in to make sure that Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Little Theatre, Gateshead is just right.