Robin Hood / Babes in the Wood

Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood (written by Peter Denyer) is this year’s choice for the Macclesfield Majestics Panto jamboree.

Technically, the team have pushed the standard up another notch! The improvements (with lighting in particular) have grown from strength to strength since my first visit to MMTG. Good quality equipment and knowledge amongst the lighting and sound departments make a huge contribution to the presentation of any production, having strength in these areas will instantly give your productions the look and sound of a professional show, congratulations and keep doing what you’re doing!

With Pantomimes, the creative team have the wonderful and fortunate opportunity to be able to tailor the production to the abilities and strengths of their cast, with this in mind, you’d expect the principals to be given songs which showcase their abilities and give them an opportunity to ‘show off’ and sing something which is in the individuals range and capability – it stumps me when performers (in this situation) are given songs they simply cannot sing, I just do not understand the logic or reason why this happens – who is this helping!?

Herman The Henchman (with the voice of Keith Lemon) was played by Sid Smith, a performance which was very comfortable and well received by kids and adults alike! Panto is clearly a genre which Sid is very fond of being a part of which was evident in his performance.
Chris Simmons was also wonderful as the Sherriff, his delivery and style was ideal for this role, great job.

Lisa Macdonald had the look and presence of the principal boy. Lisa is a very relaxed performer (which, for some styles of performance is a blessing) but for panto, I’d say she was perhaps a little too relaxed – more physical energy and command would have injected some more spark into her performance to ramp her delivery into another level. I sense a likeability in Lisa (as I’ve seen her in a few productions now) and she certainly has the potential to become a striking performer, I think an opportunity to push her even further / a part to really grab hold of is what’s needed for her now! 

This year, Michael Daws reprised his role as the Dame, this time as Nurse Nora - Panto is certainly a strength of Michael’s and a genre which he executes very well indeed.
The two Babes, Janet & John, played by Chris Croxford and Matilda Bird were as sweet and as cheeky as they needed to be.
My personal highlight was the School Room Scene which had plenty of gags and slapstick which then came to a wonderful close as the youths performed ‘When I grow Up’ from Matilda. 

In terms of the gags, there were a few suggestive innuendos (which I always find fun) but the majority was played safe and well within the boundaries, which is fair enough!
Dazzling costumes and a tight three-piece band complete the icing on this slice of panto tomfoolery.

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