Wolsey Theatre delivers with Goldilocks and the Three Bears

This is an incredible achievement coming off the back of last year's award winning Jack and The Beanstalk, so audience what can you expect?

3D characters that you fall in love with (or boo) who each have their moment in the circus spotlight, check, a fast paced story, check, a soundtrack of over 20 songs suitable for grandparents to children, check.

Rock N Roll is back in Ipswich with Goldilocks and the Three Bears. (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

The music has always been the Rock N Roll panto and the vocals of this year's cast are bigger than ever before. 

From I'm Still Standing to Tubthumping, The Show Must Go On to All About That Bass - there was rarely a moment where the audience did not have an opportunity to clap along. 

Yes even in a show about three bears there is space for Dexter the dancing dromedar! (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

While Peter Rowe may have stepped down earlier this year as artistic director of the theatre after 22 years, his scripts just continue to deliver. 

What is fantastic is taking this very short story and creating such a dynamic two-hour script throwing up more jokes, topical references, than a juggler could catch.

Steve Simmonds as Dame Belinda Big Top (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

Helping to make that happen is the leader of the circus Dame Belinda Big Top.

Steve Simmonds returns to the Dame mantle in fine form and loud voice, with jokes that will certainly be a hit with the adults.

The act one finale featuring Belinda will be a big blast with audiences night after night as the cast bring down the house with The Show Must Go On.

Jared Leatherwood as Tommy Topper. (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

The growing love story between Goldilocks (Lucy Wells) and Belinda's new ringmaster Tommy Topper (Jared Leatherwood) throws out some brilliant duets and adds the sweetness this fast paced story needs as love blossoms in difficult times.

In a cast that knows how to do slapstick and comedy, take your top hats off to Bobo the Clown (Luke Thornton) and Flog'em (Will Hamilton) and Fleece'Em (Hannah Baker) who are behind much of the humour and are sure to be crowd favourites.

Luke Thornton as Bobo the Clown (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

Panto would not be complete without a wicked villain and Richard Costello absolutely chews up the boos as Wilberforce T. Whippum. 

Whippum is the rival circus owner armed with a whip and animal acts including Dexter the dancing dromedar!

This is where we meet Goldilocks and The Three Bears act and learn of his plan to get his hands on Belinda's big top circus.

Richard Costello in Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

The script is packed full of audience participation and it starts right from the first moment Aurora (Natasha Lewis), the spirit of the ring, bursts out of the floor in what is two hours of chaos and panto magic.

And The Show Must Go On even if England is playing - but given the audience's reaction, I think they were very happy watching The Three Bears over The Three Lions.

Flog'em and Fleece'Em in Goldilocks and the Three Bears. (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

This year's show is full of big sound that will blow the big top off the big tent.

The show's run continues until Saturday, January 28, 2023.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears. (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

For those wishing to watch at home you can watch a live streamed performance between Thursday, December 15 to Monday, January 2.