Robin Hood and the Witches of Sherwood

It’s almost the end of March, but it’s still the pantomime season.  Oh yes it is!  Thanks to Covid, Avocet Theatre Company’s production of “Robin Hood and the Witches of Sherwood” is a show that has been two years in the making, and which had to be postponed from January because of the rise of the Omicron variant.  The time has been well spent: the topical references in the script have been brought bang up to date (President Zelenskiy and the cost of living crisis were both in there), even the youngest members of the cast were wholly comfortable with their lines, and the company dancing was very impressive.

Avocet Theatre Company is an innovative company which aims to give young people aged 8 and over the opportunity to take part in pantomime, musical theatre, multimedia and community theatre events.  This production was squarely aimed at this same target audience.  Some of the elements of traditional pantomime were missing: no good fairies (although the witches were relatively benevolent), no community singing, and no bombardment of bon-bons.  On the other hand, the sinister tradition of pantomime (baddies entering stage left) was broadly observed, the casting was even more gender-blind than you might expect, and many members of the company were in comfy tights.  Some of the topical references were a bit sharper than usual, and the double entendres a little more risqué, but this was still good wholesome family fun.

The set worked well within the limitations of a school stage, with curtain cloths to facilitate quick scene changes and different levels for interest.  The costumes were good, notably in the number about success in show-business which featured Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Darth Vader, amongst many others.  The make-up supported the cross-gender casting without drawing excessive attention to itself, although some of the dame’s wigs weren’t quite so self-effacing.  The lighting was particularly effective in support of the songs, with the moving spotlights revealed by the smoke in the air.  I enjoyed the socially-distanced pantomime horse!

Towards the end of the show the dame asks “What sort of idiots would pay money to see people in silly costumes singing and dancing?”.  Well, plenty of people in Banbury would, and they’re quite right.  “Robin Hood and the Witches of Sherwood” was community theatre at its best.  Avocet Theatre Company is evidently proud of its history and its ethos, and rightly proud of this show; it’s wonderful to see the traditions of pantomime being carried forward in such a joyful and inclusive way.

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