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Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

Author: Adam Collishaw

Information

Date
18th January 2025
Society
Enfield Players
Venue
Mackworth United Reformed Church
Type of Production
Pantomime
Director
Jacquie Saunders
Musical Director
Jack Herbert
Choreographer
Leah Wilks-Byrne

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood by Enfield Players was a wonderfully engaging pantomime, blending captivating performances, lively music, and impressive technical elements into a truly memorable production.

From the moment you are greeted by the warm front-of-house team, you know you're in for a great show. The set design was a standout feature in this pantomime, immersing the audience in a medieval world with its stunning visual elements. The large candelabra, medieval banners, flags, and torches created an atmosphere that enveloped you as soon as you entered the auditorium.

The cast did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, with standouts like Amy Tolley as Robin Hood and Nicola Dale’s larger-than-life portrayal of Sally the Jester, who quickly became a favourite among the audience.

Robin Hood’s band of merry men—Sarah Shaw, Jacquie Saunders, Leah Wilks-Byrne, Ann-Louise Bailey, Sally Harton, Sophie Pass, and Ann Potter—worked together beautifully, mixing comedy and camaraderie to create a splendid team.

Alice Hornsby played Maid Marion, showcasing a lovely voice and her Lady in Waiting was portrayed by Hollie Pass and friend Catherine by Lucy Wood. The Babes, played by Darcy Tolley and Charlotte Tolley, brought warmth and innocence to the show. I particularly enjoyed Fairy Bluebell’s (Charlotte Adbul) delightful rhyming throughout.

The comedic duo of Ronnie (David Clifton) and Reggie (Rio Cundy), the Sheriff’s sidekicks, had perfect timing and energy, adding extra humour to the performance. The villains, Chris Wood as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Gemma McGarrigle as the Witch worked together brilliantly to create an air of menace. Every time the Witch entered, music from Defying Gravity played, adding to the dramatic effect.

James Littlewood appeared at the end of the show as a strong King Richard and also featured were Mia Bailey-Shelton, Charlotte Cook, and Emily Garrod as the townsfolk.

Musical Director Jack Herbert ensured the singing was clear and vibrant, and the live band added an extra level of energy to the performance. Sound clarity was also excellent, and the lighting design was another technical highlight, with large light boxes featuring colour-changing trees that added to the atmosphere and enhanced the storytelling thanks to Martin Smith and Andy Saunders.

The set design, featuring a glittery gauze and fabulous backdrops, props, and scenery, was a testament to the time and effort put into creating the vibrant atmosphere for this pantomime. The costumes were stunning, adding a visually striking component to the show.

Direction by Jacquie Saunders and choreography by Leah Wilks-Byrne, with assistance from Alice Hornsby and Jacquie Saunders, ensured the performance was clean and well-rehearsed, keeping the magic and energy flowing throughout.

Overall, this was a pantomime filled with fun, laughter, and excellent production values—a show that drew the audience in and kept them entertained from start to finish.

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