Robin Hood

The dynamic duo of Becky Smith and Carol Hebbard returned with another impressive production for Youth Acts UP!, this time presenting the beloved tale of Robin Hood. This talented group of young performers once again demonstrated their remarkable ability to entertain and engage audiences. While this Panto did not have the double entendres, being a youth script, it was not lacking in humour and I was impressed at the cast’s ability to truly deliver comedy lines. In many respects better than some adult pantos.

The panto opened with a standout performance by Eva Proctor as Dame Nurse Jenny. Her energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and her interactions with the audience were spot on. I’ve been a Panto Dame before and it’s not easy to get the audience interacting. Well done Eva, you did a great job!

The trio of Guards—Nigel, played by Molly Wreathall; Gordon, played by Poppy Duffield; and Brian, played by Tillie Martin—provided continuous amusement throughout the show. Their comedic timing and chemistry were infectious, with Nigel's line, "My mum’s got a beard", being a particular highlight. The repetitive instruction to, “Be quiet Nigel”, was very funny.

Arison Martin delivered a confident and bold portrayal of our hero, Robin Hood. His performance was supported by a strong ensemble of Merry Men, notably Georgia Dewsbury as Little John and Charlie Lake as Friar Tuck, both of whom exuded confidence in their roles.

Emma Dewsbury's portrayal of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham was equally impressive, earning boos from the audience at all the right moments. Emma's stage presence and confidence made her an effective and engaging villain.

The entire cast delivered strong performances, and the ensemble numbers were well-executed. The song choices were excellent, with The Proclaimers' "500 Miles" being a crowd favourite. The use of backing singers to involve everyone in the production was a nice touch.

A special mention goes to the choreographed number "Me Ol’ Bamboo," which was executed with finesse and served as a delightful teaser for the group’s upcoming junior show "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr" later in the year. The creativity and effort put into this production were evident, and the entire team deserves congratulations for another successful show.

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