Robin Hood

I had much pleasure in attending Larbert’s annual pantomime. The whole performance was a riot of fun and colour. The songs were all Christmas based and well known so putting everyone in a cheerful mood from the start. The story of Robin Hood combatting the evil Sheriff of Nottingham who planned to get rid of the King’s sons so he could claim total power is well known. Claire Coyne as the worthy Robin Hood and Chloe Kennedy as the courageous Maid Marion sang and worked well together with their shared determination to defeat the Sheriff especially in the face of a forced marriage. However their efforts were a bit hampered by their intended helpers Dame Dolly, mentor of the young princes, and her companion Simon. The comic duo of Derek D Easton as Dame Dolly and Stewart Borthwick as Simon established rapport with the audience at once as they supported Robin Hood against the Sheriff. Their jokes were traditional and topical, suitable for all age ranges with fun and play on words to the fore especially in the clock lesson while the scenes with the deflating horses and the pie-making slapstick were classic. The Dame’s startling costumes and wigs were a continuous stream of delight. Meanwhile John-Ross Weir gave us a villainous Sheriff who threatened to cancel Christmas thereby getting our young sections of the audience fired up then, in planning to poison the young princes, the adults joined in too. Yet this was a somewhat attractive villain at times and he certainly could sing. His henchmen Block and Tackle, namely Lucy Andrew and Lynsey Craig were wonderful with their blundering execution of the Sheriff’s orders which contributed to his downfall. Another successful duo of the King’s sons Bip and Pip-a mischievous and unruly pair-were John Coe and Robbie Landsman showing another side to their talents. Keeping us all cheery was the cheerful singing of the chorus. They had lots of dancing moves to remember too and gave a specially good account of themselves as the fluorescent ghosts and skeletons. Their village dress in the opening scenes and the red and white costumes for the finale were striking. These were well set off against the colourful backcloths. All aspects, good lighting, good sound and supportive musicians, contributed to a thoroughly entertaining evening where everyone departed with spirits lifted. Well done to all involved.

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