From the moment we took our seats inside the Bristol Hippodrome to watch Goldilocks and the Three Bears, we knew it was going to be a show full of sparkle – there were cast members acting as ushers in the crowd, dressed to the nines in bright red sparkling ensembles. And the stage itself was massively aglow with lights. And we mean massively – it was quite the spectacle.
The tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears as we know it, is featured, but in a small way during the production. The rest is set around the story of two competing circuses, which paves the way for a multitude of sensational acts bound to blow minds, see jaws hit floors, and silence excitable children in their seats.
The stage was set like a big top and the costumes were incredible – from more sparkly numbers, to huge flamboyant headdresses made of feathers. The choreography and ensemble cast were equally as impressive, with not a step out of place. And the same can be said for the stunts and special effects.
Filled with pyrotechnics, stunning giant animatronic animals, live magic, stunts, humour and just the right amount of sing song, the show was jam-packed full of entertainment. Lucy Conley, daughter of Brian Conley (we’ll get to him in just a moment), made her panto debut just two years ago but already feels like a pro – her voice and acting abilities as Goldilocks in this production are sure to see her soar to new heights on the stage beyond panto, too.
As her dad pointed out at the end of the show, we were sat in the crowd alongside Adam O’Connor, the son of the late great comedian and presenter, Des O’Connor. Adam and Lucy had both written the songs ‘Roll Up, Roll Up’ and ‘That’s What Friends Are For’, for this production – a testament to the talent involved far beyond what we see on stage.
Loose Women’s very own Brenda Edwards also stunned the audience of Bristol, with her vocal range, playing the role of Candy Floss in this production. And celebrated magician and illusionist Phil Hitchcock had the audience in the palm of his hand while performing tricks and illusions in his role as The Magical Mysterioso.
Fresh from Zippos Circus, and now no strangers to panto, The Timbuktu Tumblers also wowed the crowd with their incredible acrobatics. Children around us in the audience could be heard asking how on earth they managed to perform their stunts so perfectly, and make it look so easy (one child could even be heard asking his parents if he could try this when he gets home, with a swift reply of ‘no’).
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No panto is complete without both a villain and a dame, and Phil Corbitt and David Robbins were fantastic in their respective roles as Baron Von Blackheart and Dame Betty Barnum. Corbitt has a history with Bristol, having lived here for for a time and with two sons born at Southmead Hospital, so it’s great to see him mark his 20th panto here in the city.
Meanwhile, Robbins’ Dame brought that proper panto feeling to the audience, while having everyone in hysterics, and also singing along to the likes of Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ and Aqua’s ‘Barbie Girl’.
But it was Brian Conley who stole the show for us, and many around us. With Brian at the helm, we’d walked in expecting a show full of comedy, silliness, catchphrases and, overall, just a nice ol’ time. And we got all of the above, and then some.
Before writing this review, I’d joked that if Brian Conley didn’t say the phrase ‘it’s a puppet’ at least once during the two+ hour performance, I’d certainly be marking the show down by a star. He said it at least five times and, in all honesty, gave the grown ups in the room more laughs than any other panto I’ve seen.
From stepping out on stage and reminding us all about the chocolate bar advert jingles of old (which, it turned out, none of us needed reminding of as we all began to sing along with him) to making references to the likes of The Generation Game and other pop culture treats of times gone by – all of which flew straight over the heads of those Gen Z-ers in the room. And us grown ups loved it.
We couldn’t imagine anyone else in the world of showbiz or panto being able to entertain us to the same degree. What’s more, his moments of interaction with the audience were classic British comedy and entertainment at its best.
Overall, Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a perfect panto to watch over the festive period. It gives you the same feeling you get watching one of your festive comfort shows – it’s easy, entertaining, and you know there’s going to be a happy ending.
If we had one criticism, it would be that they’ve totally missed a trick in not bringing the Three Bears on stage wearing Bristol Bears jerseys. Maybe in a future production?
Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs at the Bristol Hippodrome up until Sunday, January 5, 2025. Get your tickets here.