Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood

Jarrow Musical Theatre Company ended the celebration of its 60th Anniversary in fine style with the performance of their annual pantomime.  Before an enthusiastic and responsive audience their production of Robin Hood and The Babes in The Wood gave us all a wonderful night’s entertainment. This effervescent performance, under the clever and intuitive direction of Michelle Coulson, intertwined the folklore of Robin Hood and The Babes in The Wood, and was-jam packed with all that you would come to expect from a pantomime. The secret of success is to do it well!  Oh how they delivered!!

We had our hero Robin Hood and Villain The Sheriff of Nottingham played in true character fashion by Daniel Gibson and Grayson Wood respectively, the heroine Maid Marion, under the guise of Frances Wood whose singing was a joy, and of course The Dame who was outrageously portrayed by Lawrence Clark who delivered every cliché and innuendo you would expect from the character with gusto.

They were well supported by the other Principals in the Show, Jill Reay, as the Lancashire lass Spirit of the Forest, Terry Connolly, as the reluctant and downtrodden henchman Herman, Robin’s Merrie Men in the shape of Darren Dyson (Little John) Clare Bell (Friar Tuck) and Will Scarlett(Lana Wood), and not forgetting The Babes themselves delightfully played by Hayden Taylor and Mia Thompson. They all added just that little bit extra to their roles to make a difference.

Coupled with all this there was a small but effective chorus line-up and scenery, lighting and costumes that gave it the final polish.  What rounded off the night for me was the choice of music and songs. In a lot of pantomimes this is given scant consideration and it is usually used as a fill in between scenes.  In this show it was different, as the music had obviously been chosen well and fitted into the plot to complete the overall effect.

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