Goose Chase, by Antony Dunn, is a reworking of the Russian folk story of the first Christmas, featuring Baboushka who decides to walk hundreds of miles through snow to see the new baby king, armed with a feather duster and a set of Russian dolls.

The hour-long show was performed by just three actors who effortlessly changed into the different characters to entertain with talent and gusto, singing traditional and original songs, providing musical interludes and even doing their own set changes.

The plot was simple: Baboushka - described in the show publicity as a frail, old woman but commendably played by Hannah Blofield as a younger, colourful, sprightly character - is persuaded to follow the biggest star to find the new-born king, with a two-faced, ill-intentioned bodyguard/baddie (Ivan Scoble) in tow.

Blofield and Scoble, aka Mary and Joseph, are joined on stage by the entertaining and musical Charles Hanley, as both bad-guy Vladimir and Igor, the oppressed singer and stablehand, whispering of revolution.

A lot of the vocabulary and political rhetoric used were probably lost on young viewers, but there was a light peppering of panto-style audience participation to keep them interested, helped largely by the hand puppet, Boo the Goose.

The songs were enjoyable, including traditional as well as upbeat original works; the stage set was simple yet effective (though the occasional view of backstage clutter was distracting during scene changes), and the varied costumes, particularly Baboushka’s and Igor’s, worked a treat.

Goose Chase, which completed its tour in York, was a very pleasant escape from the razzmatazz of pantomimes during the festive was a very pleasant escape from the razzmatazz of pantomimes during the festive for its humour, originality and focus on the very meaning of the first Christmas.