It's a sad fact that December nowadays doesn't give nearly as many actors the chance to add "pantomime animal" to their CVs as it used to. Admirably bucking the trend comes Mother Goose, which allows Gregor Henderson-Begg to transform himself into quite the most winsome waterfowl seen on a Greater London stage in years. "Poultry in motion", as Chris MacDonnell's Dame so rightly puts it.
Bob Carlton's production - and credit to Hornchurch for staging this lesser-known story - drips with the sort of appealing, home-grown charm that few venues can match.
MacDonnell, who could do with a few more flights of anarchy in his humour, boasts a fantastic wardrobe and Hayley-Jayne Langwith's Sam will certainly keep the Dads awake with her tight principal boy shorts, fishnet stockings and voice like a foghorn.
A final note to parents: if you blatantly persist in sending texts during a show, you're not giving the kids an ideal message about the value of theatre. Bah humbug!
until Jan 12. Information: 01708 443333. www.queens-theatre.co.uk.
Mother Goose
Queen's Hornchurch
