Robin Hood

BATS are a nomadic group who are very much driven by the ladies in the group who really put on some great shows.  My second visit to Stratton School for a pantomime and to my delight a larger group of youngsters than might be expected for a Friday night owing to the numbers being swelled by a substantial group of Brownies enthusiastically ready to boo, hiss and cheer in all the appropriate places.

This script of Robin Hood initially by Darren Edwards, but substantially rewritten and added to by the group has been used I’m told periodically over the last 15 years. It certainly was a bit of a cracker and very much more off beat than other Robin Hood scripts I have seen. Although you had the same basic story, robbing from the rich; giving to the poor, an evil Sherriff of Nottingham and wooing of Maid Marion etc it has some wonderful quirks, such as Robin Hood, who doesn’t actually appear for the first 20 minutes starting off as a bit of a self-important poser who is gradually brought back down to earth. Friar Tuck as an Italian cook and a manic Sherriff in the style of the late great Alan Rickman from Prince of Thieves. Such a refreshing change.

The sets mostly designed and built by Melanie Wilcox and her team of Rusty, Maxine Connolly, Leana Holyoak, Lisa Beckett and Sydney Cromarty were a mixture of flats and hand painted back cloths, depicting the woodland village, Nottingham Castle, the Forest and Friar Tuck’s kitchen, all very well done indeed.

Lighting and sound was by Dave and Kate Maltby, all with appropriate washes creating super atmospheres, particularly the ‘behind you’ scene with the ghost and the slow motion strobe were particularly good. I have to say the sound was also particularly clear for such a large hall and I rarely struggled to hear, which is always a bonus!

Gareth Griffiths and Kerry Hewish sourced some fantastic costumes and Kerry painted on some wonderfully over the top makeup, particularly for our dame.

Katy Gardner in the title role of Robin pitched this just right with a tongue in cheek performance as the self-important Robin looking for adoration then gradually coming back down to earth as Maid Marion is having none of it. Good comic touch.

Lizzie Harknett as Maid Marion was playing her first principal role, but you would never have known it as her performance was confidence itself, certainly had the measure of Robin and anyone else she came across. And, what a voice, a super rendition of Just Haven’t Met Him Yet! This lady is certainly destined for musical theatre surely..?

Lucas Wilcox, I note was my standout performance in last year’s panto. Nothing whatsoever has changed, his manic approach was pitched just on the right side of OTT, his comic delivery and his facial expressions were just a joy to watch. He didn’t so much own the stage when he was on it, he moulded it to whatever he wanted and had the audience eating out of his hand. This young man is destined to do some stunning parts.

Our panto Dame, Little Joan was played by Paul Riddy, who, despite being a consummate performer for other local societies was surprising a newcomer to BATS for this show. Totally suited to the part with what was the most fantastic eye makeup and series of brilliantly colour co-ordinated costumes. Great rendition with Matt Evans of ‘500 Miles’

Dave Gauge as an Italian Friar Tuck was a comic delight with his little quips and bad cooking. A wonderful demonstration of what not to do when things go wrong, and the collapsing table goes into action earlier than expected. Well covered boys! Very funny!

Matt Evans as Will Scarlett was great foil to a not only Friar Tuck in the slapstick scene but to Robin himself of course.  With a great voice to boot Loved it.

And we come to our witches, Blodwyn (Hannah Riley), Morgan (Tasha Leftwich), Gladys (Jessie Fox) and Cerys (Louise Connolly) – what fun they were with their fantastic array of assorted costumes and huge difference in sizes, they played comedy to the ultimate, you just couldn’t stop chuckling, especially in the dance routine where they were still fighting with each other. A great touch. I gather the fourth the witch was only added for this show – good move!!

Kelvin West provided us with the running gag throughout the show as the permanently kidnapped and tied up Lord Gregory. Played to the full even when everything was resolved he was left alone on stage tied to his chair asking for help, which was of course was never going to be forthcoming. Great gag!!

Thomas Warriner as Captain with one of the best faux French accents I’ve heard since Allo Allo and then a little cameo as King Richard with I have to say a wonderfully dodgy beard.  His speech could have been a cv for all Sean Connery’s work – excellent!

Finally a mention must be made of Tonje Richard and Erin Crockford who nailed Marigold The Horse, dancing or should I say prancing round the stage with great aplomb. Super stuff.

Well actually not quite finally because no panto would be complete without a great ensemble, and with some excellently well drilled chorography by Katy Gardiner, Emily Hewish and Kay Young congratulations to Niamh Sibbons, Chris Hall, Ellen Oakins, Ethan McClure, Katie King, Toby and Jack Gardiner, Rosie Walker, Oscar Wells, Hannah James, Catherine Watchorn, Jennie Martin, Emily Hewish, Katie and Maxine Connolly. Great job guys and most of you managed to remember the golden rule of dancing – smile!

This was simply good fun family entertainment from beginning to end, Well directed by Kay Young it had great pace and some great songs with a great script. What’s not to like, we left having been exactly that – thoroughly entertained and of course pelted with snowballs!!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.