Berkshire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-565.jpg" alt="mother goose and the golden egg south hill park panto 2025" class="wp-image-84905" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-565.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-565-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-565-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-565-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-565-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Oh my glitter-soaked goodness, South Hill Park in Bracknell sure know how to throw one whopping panto. This year&#8217;s shenanigans see <a href="https://www.southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on/pantomime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mother Goose and the Golden Egg</a> brought to life with a script penned by the brilliant as always Joyce Branagh (yep, Kenneth&#8217;s sister). It&#8217;s an absolute riot — a huge, feathery hug of a show that proves this venue is criminally underrated in the panto sphere. Joyce sprinkles this story with her trademark blend of warmth, cheekiness and whip-smart modern references. And what a tale she tells.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-741.jpg" alt="pantos in berkshire 2025" class="wp-image-84914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-741.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-741-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-741-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-741-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-741-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



In a world ruled by filters, followers and thirst traps, Queen Snowy goes on the hunt for one truly kind human. Enter Mother Goose: broke, overworked, living in a boot (relatable), but still somehow prepared to give the shirt off her back. Well, unless Ravenella Crow gets there first. From there, the tale unfolds involving Priscilla &#8211; the golden egg laying goose &#8211; who Ravenella eventually convinces Mother Goose to give up in exchange for eternal youth and beauty. Cue the utterly brilliant trip to the fountain of youth, aka the local carwash, and you have pure panto genius. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-285.jpg" alt="paul toulson" class="wp-image-84894" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-285.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-285-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-285-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-285-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-285-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Speaking of Ravenella, Paul Toulson is now basically panto royalty at SHP, and the audience lost their collective minds every time he swooped in, feathers flicking, lashes batting, chaos following like glitter in a draft. He’s the perfect villain for the TikTok age. Although I must say, I think this marks the first time the gags intended for the younger audience went completely over my head. The gags being the 6-7 meme and Chicken Banana YouTube song, the latter used as a call back throughout the show. Am I&#8230; old? Well, the kids went mental for it anyhow.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644.jpg" alt="south hill park panto 2025" class="wp-image-84910" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



And ohhhhhh Priscilla the Goose. Caitlin Tyla Edmonson is charm personified, as is the amazing junior ensemble who brought buckets of infectious energy. Add the fabulous Goose siblings — Kerry Ingram and Christopher Patten-Walker — and the classic panto tomfoolery is very much present. The “he’s behind you” ghost scene had kids screaming, adults cackling, and we have to talk about that hilarious wallpapering scene. Fantastic work from director Mark Hooper. Yes, the water pistols return — South Hill Park understands the assignment. And also yes, my trousers got an absolute soaking.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636.jpg" alt="mother goose and the golden egg south hill park panto 2025" class="wp-image-84908" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-636-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



But let’s talk about the mother in question: Neil Jennings. The man was the perfect panto dame. Funny, filthy (the good family-friendly kind… unless it’s an adults-only show, in which case buckle up), and tender when it counts. His Mother Goose struts the stage with the perfect balance of sass, heart, and comedy. The Pink Pony Club sequence was fabulous. In fact, all the musical sequences were, featuring songs like A.P.T, Soda Pop from K-Pop Demon Hunters, and Lady Gaga&#8217;s Abracadabra, plus old-school crowd-pleasers like Car Wash, We Are Family, and Let Me Entertain You.



Joyce clearly raided the internet, Spotify, and probably a couple of teen bedrooms for inspo because this panto is down with the kids without an ounce of cringe. There was even that Wicked riff from Jessi O&#8217;Donnell (Robin Goodfairy). The audience levitated. I’m certain of it. By the time we got to the Eurovision mega-mix finale (Waterloo, Spaceman, Making Your Mind Up) — my mum was having an out-of-body experience. I’m honestly surprised she didn’t storm the stage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-866.jpg" alt="pantos near me" class="wp-image-84919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-866.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-866-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-866-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-866-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-866-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The costumes? Fabulous darling. It’s worth noting, everything you see on stage – from the outfits to the set are all created in-house by their own insanely talented creative fairies. The set also works hard, creating a spellbinding backdrop that seamlessly changes with each scene. It’s vibrant, clever, and about as amateur as Beyoncé’s last tour. 



If you’re feeling extra feisty, there are also adults-only nights, which add a scattering of F-bombs and innuendoes to the merriment. If you’ve never experienced tipsy grown-ups losing it over goose jokes, well, treat yourself. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-849.jpg" alt="mother goose and the golden egg south hill park panto 2025" class="wp-image-84918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-849.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-849-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-849-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-849-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-849-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Ultimately, Mother Goose and the Golden Egg is a big-hearted, glitter-stuffed extravaganza that blends tradition and TikTok with joyous ease. It’s camp, colourful, chaotic in the best way, and as warm as a mulled wine on a frosty night. Love panto? You’ll adore it. Hate panto? This one might convert you. Either way, it’s simply not Christmas without a trip to South Hill Park — and this year’s show is golden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for:&nbsp;Literally anyone! Young, old, and everything in between would struggle not to find something to love about South Hill Park&#8217;s panto. It&#8217;s glorious fun.



Not for:&nbsp;The young and restless. The two-hour runtime may push some antsy little ones over the edge.



Grab your tickets to see <a href="https://www.southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on/pantomime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mother Goose and the Golden Egg</a> at South Hill Park here. Prices from £23.50.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-festive">FEELING FESTIVE?</h2>



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Review: Mother Goose and the Golden Egg, South Hill Park

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