Review: Mother Goose at The Lowry is ‘uproarious, delightful and full of surprises’

The show follows Caroline and Vic Goose, played by the outrageously talented Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop, as they navigate their way through good fortune and friendship at their animal sanctuary.

Mother Goose is a truly unforgettable pantomime that will leave you in stitches from start to finish.

This show is a perfect example of a well-crafted and well-executed performance that leaves you wanting more.

From the moment you enter The Lowry, you can feel the excitement in the air. The theatre is packed with people eagerly anticipating the start of the show, and the energy is infectious.

As you pick up your tickets, you might spot the purple carpet where they conduct interviews with the stars of the stage.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do one, despite my boyfriend’s constant pleading.

We decided to have a few pre-show drinks and enjoy the free crème egg that was offered to us.

The anticipation was high, and we couldn’t wait to see what the show had in store for us.

Mother Goose is a pantomime about Caroline and Vic Goose, played by Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop, respectively, and their animal sanctuary.

The show follows their journey through fortune with some friends along the way. There are many surprises that had the audience gasping and cackling with laughter.

As we entered The Lyric Theatre, which is the main one at The Lowry, we made our way to our seats. The place started filling up, which showed how full it really was.

The backdrop was set up as a Debenhams with rustic-looking buildings surrounding it. The attention to detail was impressive and really helped to set the scene.

John Bishop walked out before the show to do a little comedy sketch to get the crowd going. He also informed us of what to do throughout the show and what to expect.

He did forget to tell us what to do when we wanted a fairy, which he rectified later on in the show.

There’s nothing else I can say about this show except that it is a good time from start to finish. The audience loved it, and so did I.

The jokes were perfectly timed and executed, and the actors really brought the characters to life.

A standout performer for comedy has to be Genevieve Nicole (Puss in Boots/Camilla).

She has a way of keeping eyes on her without talking just by leaving the stage.

Her impression of Camilla goes down very well with the audience and has to be my favourite part of the show.

Royal jokes seem to make everyone laugh.

She holds her own and makes an impression on the audience and has on me. It is a big cast, and trying to stand out can be tough, but she does a purr-fect (sorry) job of it. They all do, and it is one hell of a cast.

As the show unfolds, the audience is treated to unexpected plot twists and hilarious jokes that leave them gasping and cackling with laughter.

Anna-Jane Casey (Cilla) has one hell of a voice. She sings a rendition of “Don’t Rain on my Parade,” and oh my! What a voice! She holds a tune and makes the children laugh with her golden eggs.

This is just one of the references to different films and pantomimes.

Sharon Ballard (Encanta) and Karen Mavundukure (Malignia) have incredible voices too.

Their duet (the name of which has escaped me, so I guess you will have to go and watch the show to find out) is phenomenal! Mavundukure hits the low register while Ballard hits the high register, with both of them adding a raspiness to their voices.

Their voices blend together nicely, and the audience loves it. People are clapping and dancing. It really is a beautiful thing to hear.

Last night’s performance at the theatre was a delight for both fans and newcomers alike.

John Bishop, the well-known comedian, delivered an outstanding show that left the audience in stitches from start to finish. His perfectly timed jokes and witty commentary never missed the mark and had the entire crowd roaring with laughter.

But the true highlight of the evening was the appearance of the legendary Sir Ian McKellen.

The audience erupted into applause as soon as he stepped onto the stage, and his magnetic presence was felt throughout the entire theater.

His performance was nothing short of brilliant, and it was clear that his decades of experience on stage and screen had honed his craft to perfection.

Despite the comedic nature of the show, there were moments of genuine emotion and connection that added depth and richness to the performance. At times, John Bishop seamlessly transitioned between characters to provide additional context and insight, demonstrating his versatility as a performer.

Mother Goose is on at The Lowry until

You can get your tickets by clicking here.