Robin Hood. The Merriest Panto Adventure

Robin Hood The Merriest Panto Adventure - the start of Christmas say SMAOS and they are not wrong.

Scenery was a composite set with back cloths whisked in for the woods, the castle and the dungeons and various props brought on. Back-cloths Proscenium Hire and Thoroughly Theatre. Additional scenery Dave Bamford, Steph Niland and Richard Ross, Props Steph Niland and Hayley Atkinson. The costumes looked fabulous with various Dame’s outfits that brought a laugh and a gasp with the horn outfit (say no more). The tribute to Wicked for the finale was spectacular in green and gold.

Lighting and Sound all complemented and the lighting really worked with the abstract colours. Lighting Design Ethan Osborn, Sound John Ormarod. Costumes Charades and South Manchester AOS and Wardrobe Kevin Proctor and Andy McNicholas. Musical Director was Tom Guest with a great choice of songs - the cast were well versed. Loved the opening Lets Get Loud.

Beth Abram was the choreographer and she certainly put her stamp on it. Dynamic and everyone in time it was a delight to watch. The Guards Certainly delivered too. The opening of Act 11 The World is Waiting loved the idea of the signing. I would go as far to say Beth could give any professional pantomime choreographer a run for their money. Brilliant.

Steph Niland Directs and the little details are evident. The animals in the forest were a delight and the song I Am What I Am - I could watch again - so much going on - true pantomime!. . . I didn’t know where to look next - a gorilla with glasses on, the Sheriff of Nottingham in dressing gown eating a banana (Why you ask. Who cares?) and a stage hand taking over the jewel-encrusted microphone to take centre stage to mention a few. The chase scene where they stop to do a dance routine to various music snippets including Hot To Go by Chappell Roan and even including Bullseye and the Stictly‘ theme tune. The Twelve Days of Christmas just gets more rogue each year and thanks, we were soaked! It was evident of the collaboration it took to get this production on. Pure fun with some naughtiness thrown in.

Ian Chatterton played King Richard saving the day. Ryan Brown voiced Fairy Important. Freia Reidel-Fisher played a very energetic Red Riding Hood who happened to be Robin Hood’s sister (it’s a Hood thing, app.) Red was also friendly with the wolf called Spike played by Ben Clarke, who also happened to be a bit of nifty dancer and worked for The Sheriff. Great character and actually turned out the real hero in the end. Hats off to Ben and Freia getting through the food truck gag.

Holly Ireland played the feisty Maid Marion, not many principal girls get to dress up as giant cock(erel) and fire an arrow. Maid Marion was not to be messed with. Robin Hood played by James Rooza worked well with Maid Marion and his band of brothers. The Boys Are Back In Town was fabulous. Little Johnny played by Richard Ross and Willy Scarlett played by Tom Farnworth were hilarious. Tom I could watch you all day - your reaction to the action is second to none. Fairy Connie Furr was played by Lauar Aremia and as a fairy this was her maiden mission and she needed to get it right. From her first entrance not knowing the dance, we knew we were in for a treat. Great not knowing why everyone wanted to burst into song and then pulling out a show stopper with as I mentioned before with the song I am What I am. Great to see a different take on a fairy. Kevin Proctor wrote the pantomime and plays Fanny Tuck. What is great to see is every character gets their chance to shine in the production. Kevin as the dame is at ease talking to the audience and playing up to the innuendos. We had a different take on this Robin Hood with Fryer Tuck no longer with us as he was married to her and passed on. I have no idea what goes on inside Kevin’s brain as he thinks of these story lines and pun on the names, but it works. A Kevin panto is definitely one of those where something is said and then the joke drops/lands a few second after to much hilarity: moreover, the skilled delivery by all scripted cast members reached Brechtian levels of sophistication, commenting visually & vocally in & out of character. Last but not least is The Sheriff of Nottingham played by Jon Gardner. His It’s Gonna Be Me song – wow: oozing evil with a touch of comedy with his outlook and acting ability, so we wanted to dislike him but actually we loved him. His costume and his stance were great.

What a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The institution of pantomime is alive and well and in good hands. SMOAS must be delighted with this production. Congratulations to cast and crew. Thank you from my guest Matthew and I for the invite and hospitality.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.