Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

Two traditional Pantomime tales linked together to make up Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood. It was presented to me by Dereham Theatre Company and was a nice treat for Christmas.

I had a very warm welcome by the front of house team to this production. It told the old familiar story of the exploits of Robin Hood and his merry men, with the added babes and their adventures, finishing of with the wedding of Robin and Marian.

Robin Hood (Ryan Standing) worked well with Marian (Rebecca Ludman), who had a delightful singing voice. They both brought good characterisation to the plot. The Sheriff (Gary Davison) was loud, clear and extremely menacing, a total contrast to the spirit of Greenwood (Cherie Wild) who had pixie/fairy like qualities but they both said their rhyming couplets in the classic style of panto. Nurse Norah (Ben Francis) a very different dame, was very dry in his humour and delivered one liners brilliantly. Fred Flinch (Teejay Standing) had really good comedy timing. The Merry men, Little Joan (Amerlie Steward), Will Scarlet (Chloe Hunter) and Friar Tuck (Lee Knights) were typical to the genre. I loved the fact it was Joan and not John. They worked really well as a team on stage to create the Sherwood Forest gang. The children Janet (Grace Manson) and John (Wren Knights) developed a twosome as the babes together and their diction was excellent. Well done to you both.

The creative production team of the director (Paul Woodhouse) and musical Director (Michael Stoker) achieved a performance with the cast making the whole evening enjoyable and the choreographers (Danielle and Teejay Standing) enhanced the setting and scenes to portray quality entertainment.

The backdrops and scenery kept the context for each scene and gave a great continuity for the plot. Good use of props too where needed. The costumes were totally apt and appropriate for this era in our history.

I loved the jolly opening, getting the whole audience involved from the start and I always look for what every pantomime should have, a it’s behind you scene and of course the audience participation song both were very good and involving. I Really enjoyed the coat hook moment, finally drawing it on the blackboard, brilliant. Norah’s rendition of I’m sexy and I know it was outstanding, showing real comical form.

The different styles of dance used were refreshing but spacing at times when performing the moves caused the picture to look a little disjointed.

The cast handled the pyrotechnic issue of it exploding at the wrong time with poise and a professional attitude. A real credit to you all.

Congratulations to you all for a superb evening of fun and laughter.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.