Mother Goose Relaxed Performance Booklet

Welcome to Mother Goose at Derby Arena

We are so glad that you want to come and see Mother Goose. This booklet will tell you a bit more about what to expect when you visit us. We hope that we have told you about most things here, but if there is anything else that you want to know, please phone us on 01332 255800 or email boxoffice@derby.go.uk

Relaxed performances are designed especially for visitors who would like a more relaxed performance space. This can be anyone who finds it hard to sit still for a long time! So, this show is perfect for families with young children and for children and adults who have disabilities such as autism or ADHD.

No-one will mind if you make a bit of noise, or if you need to get up and go out for a bit. The theatre doors will be shut but there will be some of the Front of House team who will let you in and out. There is a quiet area outside the auditorium where you can go before the show, and which will stay open during the performance in case you want to relax in there before going back into see the rest of the show. There will be a screen in this area which will show what is happening on the stage, so that you don’t miss anything!

There will be some changes to the show so that there aren’t too many bangs and flashes, and the lights will stay on low, so it doesn’t go completely dark.

The important thing is that this is a show especially for you! Everyone at Derby LIVE wants you to have a wonderful time and not feel that you have to be quiet and still. 

The Venue - Derby Arena

Here is a picture of Derby Arena, where you will watch Mother Goose.

A picture of Derby Arena, a round, gold coloured building photographed at night with the lights on.
Derby Arena

We suggest that you arrive early so that you have enough time to collect your tickets, have a look around and find your seat. We have made sure that the hand-dryers in the toilets are turned off and that there are paper towels in there to dry your hands with.

There is a car park at the back of the Arena. You can pay the steward £3 as you enter or give them your Car Parking Voucher.

A picture of a car park at night with Derby Arena in the background.
Derby Arena car park

Be careful as you enter Derby Arena as the electronic doors move quite quickly and the inner doors will open towards you.

The Box Office and Foyer

When you walk in the Derby Arena you will see the Box Office. Here is a picture of the Box Office

A picture of a white desk with a sign saying Box Office above.
Derby Arena Box Office

If you haven’t already got your ticket for Mother Goose, you will need to collect it from the Box Office team.

The building and especially the foyer will get very busy before the show. This is because people are waiting to go into the auditorium where the stage and seats are. If you find it too noisy and too busy, ask one of our Front of House team if you go into the auditorium early. If that isn’t possible because they are still setting it up, then they will show you where the quiet area is, and you can sit there instead.

A picture of lots of people standing in a well-lit room waiting in front of doors
Derby Arena Auditorium entrance

Whilst you are waiting to go in, you can get a toy from the quiet area. These are sensory toys that you can play with during the show and return afterwards. They can’t be taken away.

The Café and chill out area

Café 42 is located on the ground floor within the foyer. You will walk through it on your way to the inner foyer and auditorium. There are places to sit and wait for the show to start here. You will be able to get a snack or drink before the show.

A bright cafe with yellow chairs and a bar with drinks and snacks. Behind the bar is signage saying Cafe42.
Café 42

There are plenty of toilets around Derby Arena. The main toilets are in the inner theatre foyer. There will be lots of Front of House staff around to help you find them.

In the Inner Foyer there are places to buy drinks and snacks before you go through to the auditorium. You will see the pantomime merchandise stand, which can be very bright. This is where we will sell pantomime merchandise such as flashing wands and spinners. There will also be an Information Point where you can borrow an infra-red hearing assistance unit, and you can also buy a programme if you want to.

A man, a woman and a child stand in front of a table. A lady is standing behind the table selling merchandise. Behind her is a backdrop that looks like curtains. Inset image of bright light wands.
Panto merchandise stand

If you want to sit somewhere quiet before, during or after the show then you can sit in the chill out area. The chill out area will be in the Clubroom, which will be quiet during the performance. There will be a television which shows what is happening on the stage, so you don’t miss anything. If you need any assistance on the day, you can always visit our information point in the inner foyer.

The Auditorium

The auditorium is where the audience will sit to watch Mother Goose. There are two different levels in the auditorium. The ground level is floor seating, and the higher level is lower tier seating. Our wheelchair spaces are on the floor level with companion seats next to them.

You will have some time to find your seat before the show starts, there will be lots of Front of House staff around to help you. You can take in any electronic devices that you may need. You can also take drinks in if they are in paper or plastic cups.

A stage with bright lights with rows of chairs in front.
Panto auditorium and stage

When the show begins, the curtain will open sideways, and you will see the characters performing on the stage. The performance has two parts with an interval (break) of 20 minutes in the middle. During the show, there will be some special effects that will make it look like the performers are flying. If you don’t want to see this part, you can either wait in the foyer, or the quiet area, then return to your seat after this scene and the lights will have come back on. There also will be some water pistols in the performance. If you don’t want to be in your seat for this part you can either go to foyer, or the quiet area, then return to your seat after this scene. Front of House staff can tell you when these parts are over.

You are welcome to get up out of your seat if you need to move around. You can leave the auditorium at any time and come back in when you are ready.

The Story

Mother Goose has a loving family who drive her quackers, a bird sanctuary for peaky poultry in the village of Squalkstone and even a magical goose that lays golden eggs. She has everything anyone could possibly wish for, except the one thing she really wants, to be beautiful.

When she makes a deal with Demon Vanity a little fowl play means she gets a lot more than she bargained for.

Join us on this flight of fancy as the Egg-selent 2022 award-winning Dame Morgan Brind returns for this egg-stra special show packed full of hilarious yokes! It’s going to be cracking!

With s-peck-tacular sets, breath-taking special effects, egg-squisite costumes and mountains of mayhem, the team behind previous smash-hit Derby Arena pantomimes are hatching a plan to make this the perfect action-packed adventure guaranteed to have the whole family honking with laughter.

After the Show

When the pantomime has finished you can leave the auditorium when you are ready. It will be busy as everyone will be leaving at the same time. There will be Front of House staff waiting at the exits to show you where to go and answer any of your questions.

The Cast

A male actor playing a female character dressed in a bright, colourful dress with an orange wig.
This is Morgan Brind. Morgan was Widow Twankey last year.
Television actor, Todd Boyce. A man with short brown hair wearing a navy blue polo shirt.
Todd is a television actor who has appeared in Coronation St
Actor Kristian Cunningham. He is a young man with dark, curly hair and blue eyes
This is Kristian Cunningham. He will play Benedict.
Actor Nicola Martinus-Smith. She is a young lady with long dark hair and brown eyes
This is Nicola Martinus-Smith. She will play Rosemary.
Actor Roddy Peters. He is a young man with short brown hair. He is wearing a light pink jumper and holding a book.
This is Roddy Peters. He will play Baron Wasteland.

Upcoming Relaxed performances (available to book by telephone and in person):

No-one will mind if you make a bit of noise or move around. We are happy to make changes to the sound levels, lighting and special effects for your performance, please tell us when booking if we can do anything to ensure you can all enjoy the show. We’ll also be providing a guide on what to expect when you attend.