Robin Hood - The Panto

As always you are always guaranteed a warm welcome to this society for their annual panto.

Based around the traditional story we all know about Robin Hood and his Merry Men (and women) we were welcomed to the cast by Will Scarlett (Peter Wilson) as he strummed on his ukulele with rewritten lyrics to Ted Astley’s well-known theme to the 1960’s TV series of The Adventures of Robin Hood.
First on stage were the hero and heroine of the piece Robin Hood and his ‘love interest’ of Maid Marion (Michael Tetchner and Christine Jary respectively). Who knew that Maid Marion had a ‘pet dragon’, Muffin, played silently with great deals of charade like explanations by Rachel Neill.

Merry Men (and Women) were fulfilled by ‘Little Joan’ (Alys Rennie) sounding very much like Brenda Blethyn from ‘Vera’, ‘Merry Man’ (Sarah Chrystal), ‘Twins’ Bill and Ben (Lulin Moon and Pamela Elliott – who also doubled as the Sheriff’s henchmen Humpty and Dumpty), and 'Will Scarlet' (Peter Wilson). Making up the disparate band of outlaws was Crispin Welby as ‘Friar Tuck’ who looked every inch of the bald pated food and wine loving churchman.

It was the Friar who had a bit of a ‘thing’ going on with ‘Lady G’ (Bill Lovell) the ubiquitous panto dame who eventually (spoilers) ended up as married.
There are certain elements required in a traditional pantomime, one of which is a ghost scene played out to its inevitable conclusion as each cast member is ‘picked off’ by a ghost – the ghost in question being played by Marie Lovell.

Of course, no panto is complete without the villains, and these were provided in the form of the ‘Sheriff of Nottingham’ and his evil (if somewhat dim) sidekick ‘Sir Stinky’ (Andy Molloy and Danny Stones respectively). Both men were despicable beyond reproach as they tried to get through their taxes and evil ways.

As expected, good triumphed over evil as Robin ended up marrying Marion and the Friar ended up marrying Lady G (rather him than me…)

In a stage limited for entrances and exits the cast made the most of it and were enhanced by a selection of juvenile dancers provide by Trish ‘n’ Tina School of Dance. Costumes were excellent (well done Susan Tetchner and Lois Billington) and the video insert as provided by Nigel Judson was a right hoot as the Sheriff and Will Scarlett were chased around a local park by a ghost. The sold-out audiences loved it.

I look forward to seeing your next play.

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