Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

It was great to be welcomed back to view your pantomime ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’ in St Michael’s Church Hall. I was a little disappointed for you that the audience was not larger but I’m sure those attending would have a good time.

The script this year had been written by your director and included the key features of a pantomime a dame, baddie, magical creature, principal leads, comedy and musical numbers. The named characters were those you would expect to find in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood and the story moved along at pace.  Many of the chosen musical numbers were integrated into the text so the audience was aware of the next musical offering. As director she had an overall vision of her expectations and was able to oversee the creation of it.

When we were seated, we were greeted by a curtained stage with projected images on it and exits and entrances both stages left and right with additional steps down to the hall set at stage left which were used during the performance.

There were lighting bars set either side of the seating area with additional lights on the stage. The gobo images were projected throughout the performance often when musical numbers were being delivered and, in some cases, took the focus away from the choreographed steps and facial expressions, sometimes less is more. The sound was well controlled with the backing tracks played through speakers set in front of the stage, the radio mics were set at an appropriate level for speech and song lyrics to be distinguished. Dymond Audio provided both the above and controlled them from the back of the hall.

The backdrop was painted to depict an outdoor scene with trees as created an ideal playing area. The larger props that were used in the kitchen and throughout the performance added detail to the scenes. The personal props were well managed by the members of your team; especially the squash; entrusted with them.

Your musical director had obviously spent time choosing a variety of different numbers covering various genres and worked with the cast practising their projection, harmonies and in some cases poly phonic songs to ensure the audience were able to be fully entertained.

The movement chosen by your choreography for the various musical numbers had been cleverly designed to ensure those performing did so with ease. All the routines had been well rehearsed; I enjoyed the tap number although I was a little confused by the cast in it as they didn’t appear to go together maybe they didn’t have time to change their costumes.

The costumes chosen for the named characters were well fitting and added to their demeanour. The first characters were Baby Bio in her black ‘sack’ which she was not happy with even when adding bright accessories and Fairy Flora in pink and silver with wellies and flowered headband. The female chorus looked ideal in their cotton tops with contrast detail I was a little confused as to why one member had different coloured tights/leggings and the young man in the chorus had trousers with brown and cream top and hat. Robin Hood and Marian looked ideal in shades of green, cream and rust. As expected, the Sheriff was bedecked in black but his two guards were in the brighter colours of red and white. The comedy team had costumes of shirts, tunics and black trousers. The Nanny Nettle’s outfits were totally over the top and she confidently worn some impressive high heels. Aloe Vera looked bright and cheerful in dungarees and tops, the babes looked regal in their red and green and the Baroness was resplendent in blue.  The junior ensemble was given their own moment in the spotlight as ‘Merry men’. It was great to see that you were able to use your contacts to help you clothe some members. Adding Robin Hood sashes negated the need for finale changes, a good choice.

The first players we were introduced to were the magical pair who arrived front of curtain and delivered the prologue.  Fairy Flora spoke with a clear voice and tried her best to keep the stroppy Baby Bio in check and ensure all their work was completed correctly.  They popped up during the performance to warn Robin and move the tale along. They made a great contrasting pair, sang tunefully and used their individual dancing skills appropriately.

Next, we greeted Marian who is seen as a ‘courageous … and a loyal heroine’ who ‘often providing a calming’ influence on Robin. Your character has a harder edge and seems to take pleasure in mocking Robin’s hero status. She created a strong character with clear diction, a powerful singing voice and good movement. It was good to see the softer more accepting Marian she made in the end.

Robin certainly looked the part, a handsome hero who everyone could rely on and had a wonderful stance.  But it becomes evident that the negative comments from Marian were sapping his belief in his ability to be the hero he wants. He spoke clearly and was able to demonstrate how the comments from Marian affected him. He moved with confidence and sold his songs. There was convincing interaction between the two leads both when acting and singing.

Your actor portraying the Sheriff fashioned a believable villain who had total power as far as he was concerned and enjoyed the boos from the audience. His hard-working guards tried the best to follow his requests and keep his in line. Guard One was certainly in charge and ensured that Guard Two was busy. At the end the guards’ powers of persuasion were able to show a different side of the Sheriff. Well played.

The comedy pairing of Dingle and Dogwood were next on stage their text was clearly heard and they sang and moved well. They were definitely not the sharpest knives in the block and their bumbling attempts to follow the Baroness’s orders to dispose of the Babes, who they thought were initially weeds which the pair had some strange ideas of how to rid, they kept the audience entertained. 

Nanny Nettle swept onto the stage with a confident manor; she looked the part in her outfits and set her cap at the Sheriff much to his dismay. Everyone present enjoyed the incident with the wig whether intentional or accidental it worked well. The cooking scene was well played by purchasing items that had been on sale in Walnut Village.  Her over the top daughter Aloe Vera who spoke and sang well, bounced onto the stage full of energy and proceeded to engage the audience in her call and response. She wanted to help but got things muddled up and butternut squash became butternut sauce. Willow and Wren Nanny’s charges were depicted well by your younger members. The were bright and although not always following orders were able to free themselves when taken into the woods by Dingle and Dogwood.

Your last-named player was the evil Baroness Brittlebush who wanted the Babes gone so she could have their fortune. When speaking she was forthright and used as many complicated words as she could which Dingle and Dogwood couldn’t understand.  She moved with purpose and sang tunefully.

It was lovely to see that you used your ensemble both adult and some junior members to deliver some of your script. It is great to give members a chance to develop their speaking skills so they progress to larger parts. 

I would like to mention here the inventive scene with the trees in the wood with the woodland creatures. The words had been carefully chosen and interaction with the other members of the cast as they passed through added an interesting element to the tale.

Many thanks for an entertaining afternoon’s performance. Congratulations to all your members both on stage or behind the scenes.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what she sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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