Robin Hood & The Babes in The Wood

What a fantastically fun evening my guest and I had watching TAP’s latest Pantomime.

After a warm welcome from the front of house team where we noticed a great photo opportunity wall in the foyer we were shown to our seats and quickly realised this was going to be a Panto that would keep the audience busy! There were bags of “rocks” under our seats, glow sticks handed out and fake money given to us by the cast, so it was apparent audience participation was going to be a key factor!

As I have come to expect from a TAPs show the scenery was beautifully painted by the talented Kevin Flower. Costumes were excellent and props also very good. Well done to everyone involved in creating such lovely visuals. Lighting was simple yet effective but sound a little quiet for me. I always think it is a shame there cannot be more use of microphones as at times it leaves the ensemble numbers feeling a little flat. But of course, I appreciate this could be down to the costs involved in hiring such equipment. For the most part dialogue cold be heard quite well.

There was a lot of talent on stage and as this was a big cast production I won’t be able to name you all. However, everyone was well suited to their roles and performed with great energy and a huge sense of fun and enjoyment.

James Oakley as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Jonathan Salmon as his unfortunate sidekick Dennis combined to make one of the funniest double acts I have seen for a long time. The scene in the classroom with them dressed as girls was hilarious. I loved the “tipping bench” work although did worry that Jonathan may have hurt himself several times! And James’ “like, whatever” American mean girl was brilliantly done.

Another double act to be commended was Alison Murray as the very hungry Friar Tuck and Joanne Smith as the feisty Little Joan. Both had me in stitches throughout. I enjoyed the ease with which both ladies were able to work the audience.

Gill Summers as our Hero Robin Hood was well cast in the title role with the thigh slapping confidence you would expect to see and sang nicely during her solo in the stocks.

I was really pleased to see Nick Summers back as the Dame and noticed how his stage presence has developed since last year. Dialogue was confident and cheeky with lots of side comments to the audience, just as a Dame should be.

It was lovely to see lots of young performers on stage who all looked like they were having a great time. A special mention to Rosie-Lee and Jazmin Spooner for doing a beautiful job as Tilly and Tammy, the Babes in the Wood.

Finally, well done to Emily Tofts as Maid Marion. She had the tricky job of singing while the audience were being “robbed” and did very well to hold her composure. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of this distraction during such a beautifully sung song and did feel for Emily. So bravo Emily for carrying on so professionally.

But perhaps the star of the show was Stage manager Kevin King. When he first entered in his less than subtle “stage crew” t-shirt I will admit I did inwardly groan. I am still on the fence as to whether the comedy in the scene changes was intentionally done or not… but if it was it was genius work from Director Paul Galbraith. Complete with annoying “lift music” the scene changes were slowly and deliberately carried out by Kevin with the help of David Smith, dressed as a Guard. Bunting was taken down then put back with great care between scenes, a table that was never used taken on and then off again more times than I could count and faux grass that had to be constantly removed then replaced for the rabbit warren were all comedy gold moments. It reminded me of comedy sketches of old that are rarely seen these days and the audience loved it. We cheered, clapped and there were even a few offers of help from the auditorium! I must also mention the delightful surprise of the stage trap door being used. Covered by a chest, various items were removed from the chest before the Guard popped up from seemingly nowhere to hand over a sword which delighted the audience. A great moment, as was the spinning target complete with Dame and balloons attached for Robin to fire his arrows at (“four out of six isn’t bad”) and the confetti cannons let off in the finale.

This was a Panto that not only worked the comedy that was written in the script but was able to inject extra humour at every possible opportunity. The most immersive I have seen within community theatre for as long as I can remember with a cast that were all clearly having an absolute blast. It strayed from the commonly used “pie in the face”, “he’s behind you” format, but still retained that traditional panto charm audiences love and expect. And after last years drenching at the hands of Director Paul Galbraith it was a pleasure to be able to pelt the cast with the given rocks and heckle with the rest of the audience in the way it was intended which was indeed great fun!

Sincerest thanks to everyone on stage and backstage for all your efforts. This was a Panto I will not forget in a hurry and I can’t wait for the next.

 

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