2000 : Mother Goose

ONCE upon a time, there was an old woman called Mother Goose, who had a son called Billy.

They lived in a cottage in Little Hassle which they rent from the Squire. They were very poor and, in order to pay the rent, they sold all the geese they owned, with the exception of one, named Priscilla. Fairy Goosedown was very sorry that Mother Goose was so poor and cast a magic spell on Priscilla which gives her the power to lay golden eggs.

Mother Goose becomes very rich but, sadly, very vain. In her vanity, she falls prey to the Demon of Discontent, who strikes a bargain with her. In exchange for Priscilla, Mother Goose would be allowed to bathe in the Well Of Beauty.

Fairy Goosedown realises Priscilla is in danger and follows Mother Goose to the Well Of Beauty and, in the nick of time, releases Priscilla from the Demon’s clutches. This enables Priscilla to fly to Gooseland and to safety.

Mother Goose realises how much she misses Priscilla and sets off to Gooseland in search of her. Mother Goose regrets her yearning for beauty and admits she was wrong and begs King Gander to let Priscilla return to Little Hassle with her.

King Gander leaves the decision to Priscilla and, in all good panto traditions, “We’ll wait and see!”