Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood

Whitkirk Arts Guild's choice of pantomime this year couldn't have been better. I have never seen an amateur production of 'Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood' before, so it made a refreshing change to see something new - and once again, they have done their community proud - here was a modern take on a well-known tale that had myself and the audience in gales of laughter all the way through!

The Director and Musical Director, Louise Norbury-Robinson, produced a bag full of surprises to keep her cast and the audience on their toes - excellent direction here, making full use of a modern script and full of wonderful characters. Coupled with brilliant tunes to please young and old alike, this was indeed masterful.

The small cast worked very hard and didn't drop the pace for a moment. Matthew Jackson played a strong Robin Hood (wasn't too sure about his slightly tipsy performance, but good fun!), Laura Harvey, a pretty but feisty Maid Marion. The two 'babes' (Heather McDermott and Verity-Rose Short) were portrayed as angry teenagers, connecting well with the audience, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Nick Jackson) was suitably nasty with the other characters and the audience - Nick, being over six feet tall, was very scary! 'Nurse Norah' Connor Houlton, was the surprise character of the piece - looking and sounding remarkably like Joanna Lumley as Patsy in 'Absolutely Fabulous', he was the perfectly modern 'Dame' and had some fabulous lines and asides. 'Herman', outstandingly played by Claire Williamson, was the Sheriff's servant, a bit daft and put upon by the other characters. Keith Speight, as always a stalwart performer, played a nicely rounded 'Friar Tuck', Kate Bentley an endearing 'Little John' and Helen Thomson as a very humorous 'Will Scarlett'. The fairy character was interpreted by Charlotte Jackson as 'the Spirit of Jolene' - dressed as Dolly Parton, along with a convincing 'drawl' - she sorted out the story-line and all the characters when they seemed to be getting nowhere!

My favourite scene in this pantomime was the school-room scene - proving the fact that the old jokes are the best if delivered with style - and there was plenty of 'style' in this show! just four chorus members, Anna Deane, Ann-Marie Mallinson, Charlotte Blundell and Keeley Row took various smaller roles with many costume changes. The Director's Assistant was Joshua Knight and Choreogaphy by Charlotte Jackson, Frankie Lakin and Claire Williamson was perfect in every detail.

Whitkirk are getting quite a reputation for their 'behind-the-scenes' team - as always, the Sets, Lighting (Dan Dainter), Sound (Chris Beardwell) were excellent, all led by Technical Lead, Ian Thomson. The Stage and Props Crew, headed by Andy Thomson, were on top form - I have to mention Andy's stage entrance to assist Nurse Norah with her dress zip in her 'stripping' scene. Clever and colourful costumes were by Laura Harvey and Claire Jackson.

As you will see by the names, this is not only a team effort but a family one as well. When you add this to excellent direction and belief in the spirit of pantomime, you can never go wrong.

Once again, my sincere congratulations to you all on a brilliant pantomime!

 

 

 

 

 

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