Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood

On arriving at Somerton Parish Rooms, I was warmly welcomed by a smiling front of house team, all charmingly dressed in Yeoman style hats and waistcoats, instantly setting the tone for the evening. Their enthusiasm created a lovely first impression and made the whole experience feel inviting from the start.

The thoughtful touches were much appreciated. The bag of themed sweets was a delightful surprise, and the beautifully presented scroll from the producers was a considerate touch, introducing themselves and apologising for not being able to meet in person. Thank you for such a welcoming and atmospheric start to the evening. It added a wonderful sense of charm to the whole experience.

There was a buzz of anticipation as the audience settled in. A voice over delivered the friendly introduction and welcome to the show, and as the lights dimmed, the story began.

In front of the main curtains, we were introduced to Alan-a-Dale, singing the prelude to the story accompanied by a lute. Clear, expressive singing and animated facial expressions ensured that everyone in the audience could hear and fully engage with the story from the very first note. You delivered a strong performance throughout the evening, staying fully in character and managing the pantomime’s storytelling elements with confidence.

Friar Tuck soon joined the stage, bringing a fantastic costume, memorable teeth, and plenty of humour. Singing in prayer, with brilliant comedic timing and lively on-stage banter with Alan, Friar Tuck had the audience laughing and added a joyful spirit to the performance. Your characterisation was well-crafted and assured, resulting in a captivating portrayal that consistently held the audience’s attention through an engaging and distinctive stage presence.

The curtains opened, and we were transported to Loxley Village for the opening number, ‘I Need a Hero,’ featuring great choreography and fantastic harmonies.

There we met Much, the linkman of the pantomime, who built a lively rapport with the audience by shouting, “Are you feeling merry?” The response, “Very much so, Much!” came enthusiastically from the crowd. Much was a delight to watch, conveying energy and enthusiasm that sustained audience engagement throughout. With finely judged comic timing and a playful sense of fun, you balanced humour and mayhem with ease, generating constant laughter. From your first entrance you held the stage with authority, and your rapport with the audience was clear and effective.

The Dame made a spectacular entrance from the back of the hall, singing ‘Cherry Bomb’ while moving through the audience, sitting on people’s laps, and creating playful mischief. Strutting across the stage and commanding attention, you fully embodied the Dame’s vibrant, larger-than-life persona. Every gesture and expression was exaggerated with precision, drawing laughter and delight from the audience.

Vim and Vigour were absolutely hilarious, with those fantastic accents adding an extra layer of charm. Each of you shone individually, your distinct personalities clearly coming through, yet together you were a force on stage. You bounced off each other effortlessly, creating a truly wonderful pairing. Your onstage rapport was undeniable, bringing countless laughs and a vibrant sparkle to the stage.

The Sheriff was absolutely outstanding, commanding the stage and displaying villainy at its best in his striking red and black costume. Your characterisation was superb, engaging the audience expertly and eliciting boos and hisses while building a strong rapport. Your entrances and exits were impeccable, and your stance throughout was authoritative. You handled the spirited energy of certain children in the audience with style and flair. Your performance was truly admirable, especially given that you weren’t feeling your best that night. Well Done!

Robin Hood, with his perfectly timed thigh slap, filled the stage with heroic and gentlemanly presence. Your interactions with Maid Marian were full of charm and chemistry, enhanced by a wonderful singing voice and excellent harmonies that enriched the musical numbers. Your precision and poise throughout were consistent and assured, contributing to the overall impact of the show.

Maid Marian, your characterisation was fabulous, and your execution captivated me throughout. I adored your on-stage relationship with Robin Hood, which was full of warmth and engaging interaction. Your flirtatious movements and lines, combined with expressive facial gestures, brought humour, vitality, and life to the role. A beautiful singing voice added further elegance and richness to your performance.

Little John, Will Scarlett, and the Miscellaneous Merry Man were all very well played, each contributing significantly to the flow and vibrancy of the story. Your portrayals were engaging and consistent, helping to support the main action while adding humour and vitality throughout. You brought a strong sense of camaraderie to the stage, working seamlessly together and enhancing the overall dynamics of the show. A special mention must go to the Miscellaneous Merry Man for managing all those numerous costume changes - a challenging task executed with skill and efficiency.

Eric & Enid were absolutely adorable, displaying innocence with just the right hint of cheekiness. I loved your interactions with your “mean uncle,” which were full of humour and engaging playfulness. Your lovely sung duet was beautifully executed, adding a delightful musical element to the performance and highlighting your lovely vocal skills.

The Villager, Junior Chorus and ?? played a key role in the pantomime, supporting the story and bringing each scene to life. Your energy, dedication, and teamwork added vivacity to the show and helped the narrative flow seamlessly.

The sound and lighting were perfectly executed by the lovely Angie & Ian. The sound effects and music accompanying the entrances and exits of the Sheriff, Robin Hood, and Vim & Vigour were fabulously delivered and really enhanced the drama. The lighting throughout and thoughtfully designed was highly professional - I particularly liked the Sheriff bathed in red light, the effect used during the spinning of the Wheel of Selection, and the atmosphere created for the archery contest.

The costumes were of an excellent standard, ensuring each character was immediately recognisable. The Dame’s ensembles were delightfully extravagant, featuring superb boots and wigs crafted by the very talented Amanda Worsdale. The numerous costume changes of the Miscellaneous Merry Man were also particularly effective, adding both comedy and variety. The make-up was equally well executed, enhancing the characters’ features and expressions, and ensuring that their personalities shone through clearly to the audience.

I don’t usually highlight individual songs in my reports, but yours were so noteworthy that they deserve special recognition. I absolutely loved ‘Left to My Own Devices’ - the clever changes to the lyrics and the characterisation were brilliant. ‘Baby I’m Yours’ was a fabulous duet, while ‘Have You Seen Her?’ was both brilliant and hilarious, with the Merry Men providing sublime back-up vocals. Vim & Vigour’s adaptation of ‘Wherever We Go’ featured great choreography, was great fun, and wonderfully sung.

There were so many highlights in this pantomime, it’s hard to name them all. The messy scene had me laughing from start to finish, with the cracker-whistling, the worm-eating race, and the “how many creatures can you find in 15 seconds in the meringue pie” challenge all being brilliant. I also loved the sheriff’s three different laughs from the witch, the pirate, and Popeye - Absolutely hilarious. The gym scene with the Dame, Much and Marion was fantastic - I loved the step-up boards, costumes and the energetic exercise routine. A first-time favourite for me was ‘Three Bells’ with Much and the Merry Men, revealing saucepans and wooden spoons from underneath their capes and between their legs, then bashing them in time to the music in such a ‘unique’ way - pure perfection. Other memorable moments included the “It’s Behind You” UV monster scene with the two furry alien creatures, and the lively community song of ‘I’m M-E-R-R-Y.’ Well done all around.

The show was directed with exceptional flair, capturing the spirit of the script. Every part of the stage was used to full effect, with entrances and exits executed flawlessly. The choreography was a central component, blending seamlessly with the direction to enhance every scene. Movements were precise, energetic, and expertly timed, from large ensemble numbers to subtle, character-driven gestures. A Big Well Done to you All!!

A big well done to the entire cast and crew. Your work was excellent, and every detail showed the care and dedication behind the production. Thank you for inviting me to be part of such an enjoyable evening; it’s an experience I will remember for a very long time.

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