Robin Hood

Poor Melodramatics - they unfortunately had the worst week weather-wise to put on their production of Robin Hood, with snowstorms, freezing temperatures and advice from the met office to remain indoors and avoid travel! So my first ‘well done’ goes to everyone involved in the production, the cast and crew - and the stalwart audiences who came out to support night after night. The show must indeed go on.

We open with narration in rhyme from Tom Monkhouse, placed on the floor, to the side of the stage, in a large leather armchair and sporting a smoking jacket.  His oversized book held the story that was about to unfold. Tom did a good job and his lines were spot on. Wait for the laughs and allow time for the comedy reactions and you will have it nailed - but a thoroughly enjoyable narration.

The opening scene got off to a great start with “Life’s A Happy Song” getting the audience in the mood. The sentiment here was great, although the cast were rather crowded on the small stage and were therefore unable to add any meaningful choreography, which would have helped. Throughout the performance the stage looked too overcrowded whenever the principals and ensemble were all on together. 

We are introduced to Robin Hood (Emma Verney-Davies) and Maid Marion (Harriet Haynes). Both seasoned performers, they did a good job with these roles - and their duet “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana was great. Will Scarlett was played by Heike Riddle, who provided much of the comedy for the children of the audience. She did a great job with cheesy jokes, the Macarena and lots of fun for all. Tony Knox was the traditional pantomime dame, giving us his Lady Garden! Although sometimes lacking in pace during her longer solo scenes, Lady Garden was a hoot and there were lots of jokes in this Panto which appealed to the adults and thankfully went straight over the heads of the little ones - so something for everyone to enjoy. In fact the whole piece was very well written throughout, from writers Rowan Alfred and Huw Nadin. 

Phil Wooley was hilarious as the campest Sheriff Of Nottingham ever to tread the boards. This characterisation worked well throughout and he gave a sterling performance. Prince John (Huw Nadin), we were reliably informed by the Narrator, wants to be King, and Huw played the role beautifully. Other notable characters were Bobs 1, 2 and 3 - and all of the ensemble who took on the roles of Alan-A-Dale, Friar Tuck, Little John and other cleverly monikered characters. A bit more ‘oomph’ from the cast here would have helped at times, especially during the more overcrowded moments on stage. Keep looking out and up, smiling and constantly reacting to each other and it will work so much better.

Costumes looked suitably Sherwood Forest-y and the sound and lighting from Dave and Kate Maltby were once again good. Special effects were used and I particularly enjoyed the glowing white gloves during The Sound Of Silence and Prince John’s disappearance in a cloud of confetti !

The stand-out element of this production however, was for me, the writing. With plenty of witticisms, corny jokes, cheesy puns (literally) and a great mix of songs, this Panto had something for everyone. I loved the Gaston song from Beauty And The Beast, now re-written for Prince John, Lady Garden’s song with her Simon, One Day More (classic choreography and flag-waving!) and The Marvellous Merry Men all had the audience tapping their toes and singing along. The scene with the ghost in the dungeons was classic pantomime fodder and had the children in stitches amidst much calling of, “It’s Behind You!”. Finishing on “Oh, What A Night” as the cast took their bows, left the audience in high spirits and ready to face the blizzard outside! 

Congratulations to Melodramatics on another entertaining panto and for beating the elements too, you clearly brightened up everyone’s evenings that week when it was miserable outside. There’s snow business like show business!

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