Robin Hood

Upon arrival we were greeted by Chair Claire Harvey and Writer and Director James Player. It’s always good to be able to have a chat about what we are about to see.  In this case a panto with disco music which certainly sounded different as well as interesting.

Iona Griffey as Enchantress got things off to a good start with the prologue and was also a good link throughout the show. The curtains opened to reveal a well constructed ‘Nottingham Castle’ complete with ramparts.  Clever use was made of these by the Guards played by Diana Andre, Bethan Pumfrey and Jacqui Player who also doubled as singing trio, The Hoodettes. A good, and I assume intentional, take on the 60’s singing group The Ronettes.

The Director had combined all the best loved elements of traditional pantomime with upbeat disco music, and I think it really worked.  I’m sure the children seated near me at this matinee performance would agree.  From the beginning the little ones were on their feet, moving energetically to the music.

I have seen Ella Rowsell in several pantos and to watch her in this production, now a confident young actress and singer, taking on the title role, was a sheer delight. I very much look forward to seeing her in future productions.

Maid Marion was nicely played by Lara Gray and Graeme Johnston made a very good Sheriff of Nottingham together with antagonist Mortianna, well played here by Sam Barker. Of course, every good panto must have a Dame and Jason Andre really fitted the bill, obviously enjoying playing the role of Nurse Nelly. 

Bow (Denise Harriss) and Arrow (Jackie Parker) made a terrific comedy double act.  Their quickfire humour and ability to verbally bounce off each other kept us all laughing.  The energy was amazing and the slapstick episode with buckets of paste and a sheet of wallpaper was ingenious and very funny.

Well done to Joni Andre as Little Red Riding Hood and congratulations to Sarah Lomas on her portrayal of Friar Tuck, who in this production bore more than a passing resemblance to the Vicar of Dibley.  Intentional of course.

A good robust performance by Emma Letcher as Molly with Charlie Jones as Little John.  Peter Dedman as King Richard did not appear until well into the second half when he made quite an entrance as a suitably attired pseudo Bee Gee complete with a rendition of one of their numbers.  This was hilarious and well appreciated by the audience.

Dancing was good, with most people in the company numbers having learnt their moves.  I felt the choreography was a little repetitive at times and that the dancers were probably capable of giving more.  However, I appreciate that it’s often better to keep things simple and within everyone’s capabilities, so maybe that was the thinking here.

The band under the direction of Karen Chinery produced some lovely musical arrangements.  Lighting and sound were good. There were just one or two instances when the middle singer on the ramparts was left in the dark for a while.

Well done to everyone involved in this very enjoyable panto.  It was well costumed and I think James got the balance between panto and disco just right.

Thank you for your invite and your hospitality.

 

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