T HERE’S nothing quite like a generous helping of the renowned Allendale pantomime for banishing the winter blues.

Tickets were in high demand for the latest offering by the Allen Valley Drama Group, which performed Mother Goose for the first time in the group’s 33-year history.

And the roof was lifted at Allendale Village Hall, with the 16-strong cast encouraging audience participation throughout what was essentially a comedy show, immaculately written and directed by Lee Falkingham.

There were heartfelt moments of romance, including a stunning duet of Adele’s Make Me Feel Your Love , by Colin Goose (Kim Kozlowski) and Jill Lastic (Emma Harrison).

But the group’s chairman Nigel Baynes stole the show with his outrageous portrayal of the leading character, Mother Goose herself.

A pantomime dame of some distinction, Nigel delivered a hilarious performance, combining catchphrases such as “goosey goosey,” with an insatiable thirst for looking beautiful.

Preying on the lead character’s good intentions was the evil Demon King (Peter Carter).

The cloaked villain was Dracula-esque as he ruthlessly embarked on a scheme to capture the golden goose Priscilla.

He was never going to win however, not in a localised plot in which baddies were heavily outnumbered.

Even the bossy and bearded Squire (Sue Mills) was tamed, and fell for Mother Goose after the latter’s ill-advised trip to the fountain of beauty.

The infatuation led Squire to drop his campaign to collect Mother Goose’s house rent, led by henchmen Bailiff Grabbit and Bailiff Scarper, played by the entertaining Cordelia Harrison and Lesley MacDonald, respectively.

The Allen Valleys may have a future stage star, in the form of Max Baynes.

The youngster showed remarkable maturity and charisma as he flawlessly portrayed the role of a local councillor.

His showpiece was an immaculately timed monologue, in which he had to deliberately muddle up the first letter of many words.

Russian choreographer Galiya Farley added athleticism aplenty with her ballet skills, as Priscilla the goose.

And in typical Allendale panto fashion, the audience was made to stand up and replicate her ability to lay golden eggs.

Johnnie Burns was truly frightening in his role as a heavyweight witch. Denise Graham provided a slightly tamer sidekick, while Alex McDermott was another evil accomplice.

Pantomime stalwart Margaret Stonehouse was in her element as Lucy Lastic, and even landed her dream job at the Dale Salon.

The salon was part of a recurring theme of Allen Valleys themed sets and references, with Allendale’s Market Square among several artistic backdrops.

It goes without saying that the baddies are always “sent to Nenthead.”

In truth, the performance had just about everything, from black magic to Morris dancing, and a madcap ballet scene involving Mother Goose and Billy Goose (Sheila Brooks).

Poor Billy found his face coated in sandwich pate and cheese during a makeshift makeover at the salon.

An ultra-positive vibe and a touch of good magic was provided by the wishful thinking fairy (Franchesca Harrison).

Another notable performer was Lillie Weatherson, who portrayed the captured goose-in-a-box.

With songs including Ken Dodd’s Happiness , dancing and an all-round feel-good factor, it was evident that the zest for Allendale’s annual pantomime is as strong in 2016 as it was when it started back in 1983.

Joseph Tulip