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Mother Goose

 
Paul T. Davies Review by Paul T. Davies 5 Published: 2 Dec 2025 Mercury Theatre Show Dates: 22 Nov 2025-18 Jan 2026

All the stops are always pulled out at the Mercury panto, and this year is no exception, with an added cause for celebration. This show marks ten years of the powerhouse panto duo Ash and Dale (Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville), who have elevated the panto at Colchester to award winning heights, winning the hearts of the community. Always a chance to showcase their talents, they excel here in one of the best Mercury Theatre pantos I’ve seen in my lengthy reviewing career. It is also one of the most magical and glorious designs, Jasmine Swan presenting gorgeous costumes from the very first minute, and the workshop have done a tremendous job on the set, aided by a vibrant and fluid lighting design.

Containing every panto trope you could want and wish for.

As Gertie Goose, Antony Stuart-Hicks remains, in my opinion, the best Dame in the business, making me always glad I’m not the bloke in the front row the Dame singles out. Pushing the envelope of adult humour, he makes ad libbing look easy, and his relationship with Dale is wonderful. As the Dame’s son, Billy the Goose, Dale Superville has many a show stealing line, waddling hilariously around the stage, and his connection with the children in the audience is always naughty and joyful. It is a cast of wonderful singers, not least the returning and superb Sasha Laroya who, as Fairy Fortune, leads us into a uniquely soulful version of the Python hit, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Jaimie Purden is an outstanding baddie as Baroness Bellinora Badapple, revelling in the role. Kemi Clarke and Daisy Greenwood are adorable as the love interests Bailey and Gracie. In fact, there is not a weak link in the cast, with excellent support right down to the panto chorus.

If the plot is a little weak, especially in the first half, it does not matter, as the team have updated it and brought in the laying of golden eggs with skill and relevance. The second half is a total joy. It was a delight to see If I Was Not Upon the Stage performed by the four leads in ultra manic style – the house was brought down – and Ash and Dale sliding about in the ghost room bed was a feast of corpsing. Director Natasha Rickan has wisely let the fun expand in the hands of experts, but her flow of the stage and control of the material are to be applauded. Containing every panto trope you could want and wish for, it is five golden eggs from me.

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Performances

The Blurb:

Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth! To celebrate ten golden years of the legendary duo Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville, the Mercury Theatre present the mother of all pantos – Mother Goose!

Gertie Goose (Stuart-Hicks) and her daughter run Three-Rings Circus, but their nest egg is running low, and if they can’t pay the rent, it’s curtains! Just when all seems lost, a fairy with a few tricks up her sleeves casts a spell on Billy the Goose (Superville) – and suddenly, he’s laying golden eggs faster than you can say “honk!” With riches at their wingtips, the circus is saved!

But trouble is brewing… A wicked landlady, green with envy, swoops in disguised as a beauty guru, tempting Gertie with the promise of eternal youth – but at a terrible price: Billy must be traded! Will she fall for the fowl play, or will good triumph over greed?

Expect breath-taking sets, dazzling costumes, side-splitting comedy and plenty of Mercury magic in this eggs-traordinary festive treat for the whole family. So flock to the box office, grab your golden tickets and get ready for an unmissable adventure this Christmas!

Content to Consider and Accessibility

Please be aware this show will contain flashing lights and loud music.

If you’d prefer to attend a Relaxed Performance (where lighting and sound effects will be reduced), we will be holding these on Fri 5 Dec 2025, 12pm (also a Schools Performance) and Sat 10 Jan 2026, 2pm (also a BSL interpreted performance).

Our Audio Described performances (with pre-show touch tours available) will be on Sat 6 Dec 2025, 2pm and Sat 17 Jan 2026, 7pm; our Captioned performances will be on Sat 6 Dec 2025, 7pm and Sat 17 Jan 2026, 2pm; and our BSL performances will be on Fri 5 Dec 2025, 7pm, Fri 9 Jan 2026, 7.30pm (also an adult performance – 18+); and Sat 10 Jan 2026, 2pm (also a relaxed performance).

If you are attending a relaxed performance, or would like to know more about specific elements of the show, our social story will be available nearer the show (please be aware that this will contain spoilers). If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our accessible performances are made possible with the support of John Fowlers:

Adult Performances

Out 18+ adult performances are known for being a little more risqué!

If you want to leave the kids at home and double the laughter, these performances will be in January 2026 on: Tue 6 Jan, 7.30pm; Wed 7 Jan, 7.30pm; Thu 8 Jan, 7.30pm; Fri 9 Jan, 7.30pm (also BSL interpreted); Tue 13 Jan, 7.30pm; Wed 14 Jan, 7.30pm; Thu 15 Jan, 7.30pm and Fri 16 Jan, 7.30pm.

Booking for a school?

We can’t wait to welcome schools back to the marvellous Mercury pantomime this festive season!

Our 2025 schools performances are: Wed 26 Nov, 10.15am & 2pm; Thu 27 Nov, 10.15am; Fri 28 Nov, 12pm; Tue 2 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Wed 3 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Thu 4 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Fri 5 Dec, 12pm (also a Relaxed Performance); Tue 9 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Wed 10 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Thu 11 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Fri 12 Dec, 12pm; Tue 16 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Wed 17 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm.

Tickets for schools are £14.50 (including levy). For every 10 tickets you buy the 11th is free for a teacher or member of support staff.

You can book today (and even pre-order your ice cream!) by filling in our form or by calling our customer experience team on 01206 573948. Please be aware the form will ask you for your first and second choice performances dates and times, so please do have a look through the performance schedule below before heading over to the form.

Schools Order Form

School Workshops

Extend your visit with one of our brilliant workshops!

Make your school’s visit to the Mercury panto even more enriching with our fun workshop exploring character archetypes, fairy tales and conventional storylines. This practical storytelling workshop is the perfect Christmas treat for a class-sized group before or after they’ve seen the show.

Check out our wide range of school workshops to extend your visit and expand your classroom learning. Discover all of our workshops here: mercurytheatre.co.uk/taking-part/education/school-workshops and email [email protected] for enquiries.

Booster Seats

Need a little lift to get the best view? Booster seats are available at the door to the theatre. Pick one up on your way in!

Mother Goose Small Bowls in our Café Bar

Make the most of your visit and discover our tempting tapas, with a selection of small bowls perfect for sharing this Panto season!

Select any three for £13.50 or any five for £22. Just let us know your preferred choice when you arrive at your reserved table. We cater for gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Options include: Cajun Chicken Skewers (gf), Buffalo Tempura Cauliflower (v), Onion Bhajis (v, vg), Wholetail Scampi, Halloumi Fries (v, gf), Crispy Veg Dumplings (v, vg), Vegetable samosas (v, vg), Southern Fried Chicken Goujons, Grilled Pita Bread (v, vg), Duck Spring Rolls, Prawn Cocktail or Cod Goujons. *Please note: options may be subject to change. Ask upon arrival for that performances offerings. 

Simply add the Small Bowls option to your basket when booking online (see the You might also be interested in… page once you have selected your tickets) or with our friendly Box Office team, and you’ll be reserved a table 90 or 75 minutes ahead of the show and ready to order which three options you would like on arrival (subject to availability). Limited spaces per performance so book early to avoid disappointment!

Panto Shout-Out/Birthday Book

If you’d like our cast to say Happy Birthday or give a shout out to a member of your party during the show, you can submit your requests via our Shout Out book.

Sign the Birthday Book

Please note: we wish we could use every message we receive, but sadly that is never possible and we can’t offer any guarantee that your birthday or shout out will be used in the show.