Babes in the Wood

In the words of Simon Cowell, I didn’t like this pantomime – I LOVED it. This was one of the best pantomimes I have seen in a long time and, believe me, I’ve seen a few!
It was my first visit to Rowntree Players and the Joseph Rowntree theatre so I had no idea what to expect. Speaking to the Secretary before the show, she told me “it might be a little off the wall” – intriguing. All this made for an interesting evening ahead and, goodness me, she wasn’t wrong. This was a unique take on the traditional Babes in the Wood pantomime – yes, there were Babes, Robin Hood, Maid Marian and the Sheriff but that’s where the similarity ended. I’d love to explain the plot to you but it wouldn’t help – suffice it to say, that there was one – just!
Where to begin with the superlatives? Let’s start with Dame Harmony (Graham Smith) and Kurt Jester (Gemma McDonald) – what an amazing pair. Their onstage partnership was a joy to watch, with wonderful comic timing they had the audience in the palms of their hands. It was plain to see how much they were both enjoying themselves and that spilled over into the audience. Memo to self – don’t sit on the front row when Graham’s playing Dame.
But the quality didn’t end there – it’s a long time since I’ve seen a Principal Boy and Girl played as they traditionally should be but Robin Hood (Hannah King) and Maid Marian (Marie-Louise Surgenor) did exactly that. They both looked, sang and danced fabulously and they could also ACT, on often overlooked characteristic of pantomime characters.
Where would Robin Hood be without a group of Merry Men – or Merry Women, in this case. They performed an absolutely storming version of Six, from the musical of the same name. Last night we saw Meg Badrick, Keelie Newbold, Erin Willis, Mollie Surgenor and Libby Roe. At other performances Mollie and Libby were replaced by Eva Howe and Charla Banks.
Where would pantomime be without a villain? Well, Babes in the Wood had one in the shape of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Jamie McKeller). It’s aways a good sign when the baddie elicits boos from the audience before he even speaks, which is exactly what happened last night. Played slightly tongue-in-cheek, Jamie dominated the stage with his every appearance. And his rendition of You’ll Be Back from Hamilton was a sheer delight. Every baddie needs a sidekick and Babes in the Wood had Will Snatchell (Joe Marucci) – a subservient accomplice to all the Sheriff’s evil plans. He was played with just the right amount of comic menace, if that’s not a contradiction in terms?
Last but by no means least, the Babes themselves, played at this performance by Henry Cullen and Fergus Green. They weren’t give a great deal to do in this script but their contribution to the production was first class. I’m sure the other Babes (Fergus Green and Maddie Chalk) were equally as good.
Even with a first class cast such as this, it would all come to nothing without the dozens of people behind the scenes. I knew the music was going to be good from the start of the James Brown overture – and, goodness me, I wasn’t wrong. Under the leadership of Musical Director, Jessica Viner, the company delivered a collection of musical numbers ranging from Hamilton to Gypsy via Betty Blue Eyes. And, there was a live NINE piece band, what a delight to hear that sound. Choreography was in the capable hands of Ami Carter, and what a wide range of dance styles were featured - from vaudeville to tap.
Many congratulations to the costumes coordinators, Leni Ella, Heather King & Jackie Holmes, and their team, Andrea Dillon and Claire Newbold. The costumes were bright, colourful and very pantomimic – you know what I mean.
I couldn’t believe that all the scenery was built “in house” – this was a professional standard set – big, bright and colourful. Scene changes were slick and helped maintain the pace of the production. And what an end to Act 1 – just as it should be – finish on a “WOW” moment. Well done to the Technical Stage Manager, Paul Mantle, his Stage Managers, Nick Lay and Nigel Metheringham, and their team of Set Constructors/Stage Crew. The production was enhanced by quality sound (Peter Reed & Alan Armitage) and lighting (Nick Lay & Nigel Metheringham)
Have I forgotten anybody? Yes, of course I have – the man who wrote and directed this tour de force of a pantomime – Howard Ella. You must be so proud, having devised this unique production, to see it come to fruition in such a magnificent way. Many, many congratulations.

It was a pleasure to chat with you all after the show and I hope our enthusiasm for the pantomime came across. Thank you for the invitation, good luck for the rest of the run and Merry Christmas to you all. See you next time.

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