Robin Hood and his Merry Men

Robin Hood & is Merry Men

By Limelight Scripts
Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society

Billed as a pantomime for all the family, and judging by the reaction of the audience on the last night SADS certainly hit the target this year with this production which contained all the elements of traditional panto fun, goodies, baddies, silly idiots, singing and dancing and corny jokes by the bucketful!

While the basic well-known tale was played out against the backdrop of Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle modern elements like mobile phones, I-pads and KFC were introduced along the way, and a television news crew which popped up at vital moments in the shape of a very topical Scottish interviewer Laura Hootsberg!

In the title role of Robin Hood an attractive and confident performance was delivered in typical “boots & tights” Principal Boy style, the experience of the actor showing through as she commanded the stage and was just perfect for the part.

All the Merry Men were great fun, and their individual characters were established from the word go!  Little John for ever trying to evade the Dame’s attentions, a “one-tune” Alan-A-Dale, Friar Tuck constantly in a stew of one sort or another, and a very camp Will Scarlett of the bouffant hair and painted nails!  Maid Marion was self-assured and attractive and the wily Wise Woman was always out to make a fast groat with her nefarious predictions! The sneering Sheriff was affable on the surface but showed glimpses of evil intent underneath, and was well accompanied by his silly side-kicks Smash & Grab. Prince John was convincingly conniving, and being tall his height made for some good business with the more diminutive Grab!

The small chorus gave good support, with some also doubling up in cameo roles, as King Richard, a most delightful dancing Teddy Bear, and a particularly memorable and bloodthirsty Gaoler!

At the end of the day there is nothing quite like a Dame and in this production Dame Courgette was simply delicious, creating a warm rapport with the audience from the start, he didn’t miss a beat!

The group of six young dancers, added to the atmosphere with some good routines, but  it was concerning to see them on stage for the most part in bare feet, which must have raised some Health & Safety issues for the company. 

Costumes were attractive and suitable for the characters and props were well sourced.

The scene in the forest with the snake stealing the food for the picnic was a clever touch, and the Teddy Bear for the “it’s behind you” sequence made for a refreshing change. The Twelve Days of Christmas, with Little John chasing round the auditorium to rescue the “loo” rolls was particularly memorable, and the very well devised and choreographed Job Song almost brought the house down!

As is usual with this experienced MD sterling support came from the pit, and the lighting, using colourful and specifically painted back projection, was well-designed with the multitude of fairy lights around the flats for the “walkdown” giving a good effect.

On occasion some of the action did seem to be set  rather too far upstage, and  the  script didn’t have a particularly strong story-line, and was  very “earthy” in parts. However this very busy show with lots of “one-liners” and plenty of audience participation was extremely well received. Oh yes it was!

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