Old Mother Goose, York Theatre Royal, review: Berwick Kaler reunites with David Leonard for this slapstick show
There was no sign of 'artistic differences' in this assured Christmas classic
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It is a sign of the importance attached to the pantomime at York’s Theatre Royal that assurances have already been made that its £4.1m facelift would be completed in time for next year’s show.
Excitement at the prospect of the makeover of the Georgian playhouse has been tempered only by the determination to give the public its 2015 Yuletide fix. Fans queued overnight for tickets for uber-dame Berwick Kaler’s 36th panto appearance in York.
Over the decades the actor has created a seasonal and proudly un-starry institution whose popularity extends beyond the confines of the city to the rest of the country and even overseas. Generations have now been schooled in the good-natured nonsense he creates.
This year Kaler is re-united with David Leonard as the baddie par excellence, the Dreaded Lurgi, after the pair reportedly fell out over “artistic differences” in 2011. Leonard played a mean Miss Trunchbull in a West End Matilda during the hiatus. His return is welcome.
Kaler employs his full armoury of water-drenched slapstick and locally-inspired japery – losing his trademark wig twice in the process. And if little heads were nodding slightly they came alive with the traditional finale of the hurling of the Wagon Wheels.
To 31 January
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments