Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood

Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood

Bampton Players

Written by Ben Crocker

Directed by Avril Saxby

Musical Director: Hugh Saxby

Riverside Hall, Bampton

Thursday 20th February 2020

‘Tricia Barclay

NODA SW Representative District 6

 

The scene was certainly set for an adventure to come with the rousing rendition of a spectacular film score, as the first night audience settled into their seats with eager anticipation!

Robin Hood and his companions have been outlawed to Sherwood Forest, while the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham, with the aid of his tax-collecting sidekick Dennis, plots to “do away” with his orphaned niece and nephew, keep their fortune for himself and marry his ward, the young Maid Marion.  Dun, dun, dun!

As usual the Players made effective use of the small space available and the shortage of exits and entrances to transport  their audience from Sherwood Forest to Nottingham Castle and the Dungeons, and from the “One Doored Tower of Doom” to the Nursery and back to the Forest. What a dedicated backstage team!

Panto should start with a bang and this production came to life once the curtains were opened to reveal the motley band of Outlaws in the Forest.

Casting can sometimes be a challenge and “cross-dressing” was very much the order of the day this time round!

The experience of the performer playing the Sherriff was evident, her delivery and expressions with every raising of the eyebrow was spot on, and with the slightly dim, and subservient Dennis they made a great pair! It might have been tempting initially to cast the parts the other way round with the taller man as a menacing Sherriff, but the combination worked and the scene at the Nursery window as they peeped through on the Dame and the Babes was particularly funny!

Winnie Widebottom soon managed to get the audience on her side and played the role in traditional dame fashion selecting an “unsuspecting” member of the audience as her stooge, and performing all the routines as usually portrayed by a “man in a frock”

The introduction of a feisty Little Joan in place of Little John worked well, and paired with a believable Friar Tuck the two made for an hilarious mini “slosh” scene in the Dungeons, as Soapy Sue and her “fellow” Washerwoman caught the  poor unsuspecting Sherriff right in the eye!

Robin Hood looked every inch the part and was played very much as the traditional Principal

Boy in tights and boots! This was a strong performance and her transformation into a Bonnie Scot, complete with kilt, tam-o-shanter and spectacles, for the archery competition was a hoot!

The youngsters contributed effectively in their roles. The two “Babes” were suitably truculent and naughty especially when it was time for bed and they had to hand over their mobile phones! Maid Marian interacted well, bonded with Robin, and shook off the unwanted attentions of the much older Sherriff - although the wide age gap between these two may have posed questions in rehearsals for the need perhaps to vary some of the action and dialogue at this point.

While all the elements of the Players’ feeling of company fun and mischievous amusement were very much in evidence somehow the pace at times was slow in comparison to the two previous pantos, but this was the first performance. The school-room scene was a tad too long and was restricted by the limitations of the stage and the difficult sight lines.

However the production was still packed with lots of pantomime fun and magical moments!

There was a strong chorus of ever inter-changing Outlaws, Peasants and Guards, and a plethora of Bunny Rabbits who popped up at odd times along the way, only to clear the stage quickly at any mention of “rabbit pie”!

Audience participation was very much to the fore, with the cast kindly treating everyone to a shower of sweeties every time they” robbed the rich to give to the poor”! Small cannon balls were also lobbed into the crowd to assist in pelting down the “One Door to the Tower of Doom”, culminating in a huge one being passed over the heads of the spectators and which finally saved the day!  Pulling an unsuspecting punter up and costumed to witness the demise of the Sheriff and Dennis was also a fun moment!

The Community Song was performed on stage by the whole company and certainly got the audience to their feet as they joined in with all the actions!

Lighting and sound were generally effective, although on occasion some of the solo singing did seem rather quiet. Sound effects were excellent and appropriate to the story, and the sword fight noise coming just after the swords had clashed was a clever touch! Presumably by design and not by accident!

 The various sets were impressive and well designed, and the costumes were all suitable for the roles. Maid Marian’s outfit of burgundy velvet was particularly eye-catching but did need something for her hair, the circlet of flowers added at the finale made for an attractive finishing touch.

Sterling support came from the appropriately dressed band set just in front of downstage left, and the moment when they raised their umbrella to protect themselves from the “slosh” scene was just perfect!

Yet again another good team effort from this company, who as usual put their own stamp on proceedings, and which was very warmly received by the first night audience. Oh yes it was!

 

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