Join us for this year's NODA Celebration Day

Robin Hood

Author: Joan Lowe

Information

Date
1st December 2023
Society
St Matthews Theatrical Society
Venue
St Matthews Parish Centre
Type of Production
Pantomime
Director
Howard Wolfenden
Producer
Nathaniel Hyde
Written By
Dave Crump

The curtains opened to a stage full of happy, enthusiastic children and this set the scene for the whole Pantomime. The audience particularly loved the little ones dressed as flowers. We met Maid Marion (Ellie Smith) the greatest beauty in Norman England with a lovely voice to match her beauty along with her confidant Jenny(Paige Sladden) who joined in the merryment and Will Scarlet (Millie Riach) with a message from Robin for her.

A larger than life Dame Nora Little (Dan Shawe) swept in full of personality and jokes, well done Dan one of the best Dames I’ve seen. The costumes were colourful as was her different wigs. He gave as good as he got to the Sherriff of Brighouse (Joseph Simpson) the collector of taxes big when robbing the villagers but smarmy with  slimy Prince John (Zac Swift) both of whom were booed enthusiastically by the audience, and the Sheriffs stupid sidekick Guy of Gisburn (Molly Inglesfield). 
Robin Hood (Flo Shackleton) gave a good thigh-slapping  performance as expected of a Principal Boy, who’s singing complimented Maid Marion and  her solo numbers were strong, arrived to save the villagers from the Sherriff. Also to be on hand to help to keep peace in the forest was Blossom (Beth Ellis). What a lovely fairy costume very sparkly  as was her personality. Singing the favourite fairy song Nobody Loves a Fairy when she’s thirty (not forty!) and even getting all the audience chanting a spell in a competition which they were all left to add their own naughty ending. Enjoyed very much by the Scouts & Cubs at the front of the audience. 
Robin’s Merry Men Little John (Nathaniel Hyde) Friar Tuck(Tilly Fitt) added many jokes and antics joined by Alan-a-Dale (Erica Farrow) Much (Sophia Farrow) and Roger the Donkeye of (Joseph Shawe). Mad Mary (Neil Hirst) a prophet of doom whose loud mutterings could only be understood by her. 
After the Archery competition won by Robin it all ended happily on the arrival of King Richard (Howard Wolfenden). The Sheriff, Guy and Prince John getting their just desserts. 
The Society is rising from the ashes of Covid and having the lighting rig condemned thanks to its supporters and hopefully will now grow. 
Overall a lovely show, produced by Nathaniel Hyde and directed by Howard Wolfenden
Congratulations and well done to all concerned. 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the North East region

Funders & Partners