Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood

Once again we were delighted to be invited to see Dronfield’s annual pantomime with all the usual boos and hisses ,over the top costumes , larger than life characters , a panto full of laugh out loud lines , great singing and an opportunity to switch off completely from the world outside . Dronfield MTG provide many opportunities for young and old alike to perform within a true feel-good company. The strength is clear to see with many generations of families involved, not only performing but carrying out all the unsung jobs without whom these productions wouldn’t happen. 

Andrea Powell as Director and Choreographer brings a wealth of experience having achieved the outstanding feat of being heavily involved in over 100 productions . Her vision and direction was carried out by the cast to a high standard, and particularly with the many memorable principal scenes including … if I wasn’t in a pantomime …. black and white .. the ever-present panto bench gag … and assisted by Ann Singleton as MD, another long serving member of the Dronfield team , provided the audience with a well balanced mini orchestra and brought the best out of the actors with some excellent singing .

Ever panto needs a’ larger than life ‘Dame and in Nurse Molly Coddle played by Gavin Ward he certainly gave everything.Excellent delivery of lines , lovely moments interacting with the audience ,many costume and wig changes and so many cameo scenes never mind the physical comedy which was brilliantly acted . Ellie Ashmore as Robin Hood, well done,your scenes were performed with depth and meaning along with some lovely singing. You performed through the differing emotions with great ease. Maid Marian performed by Lily Ward. Well done. I really enjoyed your many and differing scenes, trying to fend off The Sheriff, the close developing friendship with Robin Hood and the laugh out loud falling around scenes with Nurse Molly > You made me smile on many occasions as you managed to not laugh out loud on a number of hilarious situations. I really enjoyed the duet between Robin and Maid Marion joined by the chorus of trees was great fun. Sheriff of Nottingham played by Ben Patterson, the typical Mr Nasty, well done, beautiful clear diction and an ability to wind up the audience every time you appeared along many exchanges with Robin Hood, Nurse Molly , Maid Marion and of course DD Knave , performed so well by Rachel Cooper Bassett . Daft, Dangerous, Derek, Dave or whatever name the cast wanted to give. A great performance full of fun and laughter, spoken and physical. The Fairy by Fiona Adlington. Wow a heavily involved part with so many story telling appearances all delivered beautifully, due to the way your part was written you often don’t have others to feed off but that had no effect at all as you held the audience with every entrance.

Friar Tuck by Patrick Naylor, Little John by Erica Leach, Will Scarlet by Lindsey Ashmore, Alan A’Dale by Kayleigh Health all members of Robins gang , well done , some lovely moments through the panto along with well delivered lines and lovely visual interactions . Block by Sarah Betts and your partner from north of the border, Tackle by Cara Chester, what a great team you made, you had clearly worked hard to achieve the wonderful rapport you had with each other , well done . The two of you certainly lit up the stage with your antics, great fun . Bob the Builder by Charlie Betts and Mutch the Miller by Oscar Aspinall well done to you both, small cameos with lines delivered clearly.

And last but by NO means least Pip and Penny by Evie Welsby and Charlotte Burney , you should both be thrilled . Being given the opportunity to play these two characters is one thing , but to perform to the standards you did was outstanding . Of course I was sorry to not see Emma Hazlehurst and Lola Andrews but I understand you also perform really well . You had so many memorable scenes but I must reference the bedroom scene along with the rotating door and Nurse Molly , hilarious . The ensemble members not mentioned by name but just as valuable to the production all performed well and I was delighted to see a number of you having a few lines . Please always remember there are no small parts only small actors . Never say I am only in thechorus as without everyone the production would be lacking .Finally how wonderful to see so many youngsters on stage , hopefully watching ,interacting and learning from some of the more established team .

The sets and projections worked well and thanks to those teams of people operating them. The lighting and sound were well thought out and well delivered. Compliments for the costumes, some really beautiful ones throughout the show, well done. 

As I said earlier the vision of the production team and the way it was performed is a credit to the whole society . There were so many magical scenes , and not wishing to spoil for those seeing it next week , however the opening of Act 2 was hilarious , I leave the many others for to enjoy . I must say what a lovely moment when bringing the young ensemble forward to finish the finale .

If you haven’t yet decided to support this panto please do . You will be treated to some splendid theatre. 

On behalf of both Sylvia and myself thank you for your invite and hospitality and best wishes for your remaining shows

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