The Cast of MOTHER GOOSE Arrive at Theatre Royal Brighton

A giant golden egg greets commuters at Brighton station in anticipation of Mother Goose opening at Theatre Royal Brighton this weekend.

The show, starring Ian McKellen and John Bishop plays Theatre Royal Brighton from 3 - 11 December before a season in the West End at The Duke Of York's and a UK & Ireland Tour

This very special pantomime is the first of its kind to tour the country and play all the way to Easter.

The star-studded cast features Ian McKellen as Mother Goose, John Bishop as Vic Goose, Anna-Jane Casey as Cilla The Goose, Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Jack, Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Good Fairy Encanta and Karen Mavundukure as Evil Fairy Malignia. The cast is completed by Mairi Barclay, Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Becca Francis, Shailan Gohil, Richard Leeming, Genevieve Nicole and Laura Tyrer.

John Baldock, Theatre Royal Brighton Theatre Director, said: "It's incredible to be opening a production of such amazing quality with such a fantastic cast. We can't wait for Brighton audiences to enjoy the show"

Mother Goose is written by Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street, Gimme Gimme Gimme) and directed by award-winning director Cal McCrystal. Set and Costume design is by Liz Ascroft, Choreography by Lizzi Gee, Lighting design by Prema Mehta, Sound design by Ben Harrison and Puppet Design and Creation by Chris Barlow. Casting is by Anne Vosser and the Production Manager is Ben Arkell.

Mother Goose (Ian McKellen) and her husband Vic (John Bishop) run an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays and live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when a goose (Anna-Jane Casey) flies in, will fame and fortune get the better of them?! Will Ma's feathers be seriously ruffled? Will Pa tell everyone to get stuffed?! And is their fair life about to turn fowl? Get ready for fairies with hefty vocal chords, puppets with tap dance qualifications and impeccably constructed mayhem that will quack up the whole family. This hilarious family-friendly mother of all pantos is the ultimate theatrical feast full of fun, farce and more than a couple of surprises that will make you honk out loud.

Mother Goose is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Seaview, Wessex Grove, Richard Winkler & Dawn Smalberg, Caiola Productions and George Waud for Groove International.