Goldilocks And The Three Bears - The Maddermarket 2022 Pantomime!

Goldilocks And The Three Bears – The Maddermarket 2022 Pantomime!

Pantomime – a fairy tale story given a twist and a wiggle to bring entertainment for the whole family during the festive season. Traditionally the back bone of theatre it would carry takings which could see them through the whole year when otherwise bottoms on seats were not so prolific. Over time this staple of the theatrical calendar became its most important, not just for the profit making but because it became the tradition in itself and today we enjoy the same slapstick comedy, in a similar format, year on year because why? Well, this little slice of fun just works and you know what? If the formula isn’t broken then why fix it?

However, it didn’t stop the Sound Ideas Theatre Company making their 2022 Pantomime offering at The Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich better than ever before. Just because something has a formula. they have shown it absolutely can be unique. And some!

I did wonder how they’d manage to stretch the story of Goldilocks into a 2 hour performance (including interval time) and never would I have landed on the angle they took. It’s brilliant though, and as Goldilocks does indeed meet three bears, eat porridge and fall asleep, this is really just a secondary story to the brilliance of Dame Betty Barnum’s circus at threat from the baddy (boo, hiss), The Evil Ringmaster!

There is of course, slapstick, a Buttons type character, the beautiful girl and terrible yet brilliant jokes. There’s songs and invitations to shout “it’s behind you!” with dancing and laughing all the way through. The extra element is that all of these things are done with precision and talent. Oh my word, the talent!

This is, without a doubt, the very best pantomime I have seen. The script is perfect and the performers are wild and riddled with talent. All of them. And when I say singing I mean SINGING! Now, it’s hard to convey that there is a star of the show without doing the rest of the cast down, I don’t want to do that as every single one of them were perfect. However, go and see the show simply for Dame Betty Barnum IF nothing else. I could have watched her ALL day – mesmerising!

So… The facts, because you haven’t got long to book your tickets, sadly this show finishes on the 30th of the month so you need to get in quick!

Playing twice a day with a matinee at 2.30pm and an evening performance at 7.30pm daily with the exception of the 24th (matinee only) and the 27th and 28th (evening only) and Christmas Day and Boxing Day when there are no performances.
Ticket prices start at £10.50 with a family ticket for two adults and two children costing £50 (far less expensive than any other local pantomime)!
Children are more than welcome – it’s a family show and if they shout out, that’s ok!
Book directly through the Maddermarket website, go into the theatre or ring the box office on 01603 620917.
Find the Maddermarket on St John’s Alley which is the alley way to the right of The Belgian Monk on Pottergate, close to Christophe’s Crepes and Head in The Clouds.
Park anywhere in the city centre and it’s a short walk but the closest car parks are either multi-storeys at St Giles or St Andrews
There is a bar serving hot and cold drinks (and cake)!
If you have a buggy there is a room provided to park it while the performance is on.
For smaller children cushions are provided for seats to give them a better view.
There are universal credit and blue light discounts for tickets!

Top Tip

Once you’ve seen the show, hang around in the bar area to catch a glimpse of the very talented cast as they mingle in with the throng.

Check out the promo video!