Mama G: The Magic Bookmark kids review – A love letter to literature
Dazzling with satin outfits and never-ending energy, Mama G engages children and adults alike in a whimsical panto-style celebration of reading
The one-woman show has a long and distinguished history at the Fringe, but what about the one-dame panto? This hour from eminently loveable drag queen Mama G brings together a tribute to the greatest of British theatrical traditions with a celebration of the joy of books: surely two fabulous things worth imparting to young audiences. Mama G, resplendent in full dame satin and frills, has had her library books stolen by an evil bookworm and the only way to get them back is to go on a quest with a magical bookmark.
Of course, like any panto, the story is just the frame, and here we have all the trimmings: shouts of ‘it’s behind you’ and ‘oh no it isn’t’, audience singalongs and lightly political jokes for the grown-ups. Mama G steers the show like a veteran skipper, keeping the energy up and reading us several picture books along the way. It is a slight shame it relies on screens to augment the action, but hard to see how else one person could carry a whole panto. The gently empowering messages to kids to love themselves and find themselves reflected in books is the icing on the glittery cake.
Mama G: The Magic Bookmark, Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 31 August, 12.20pm; picture: AP Hall.