Robin Hood & the Sheriff of Snottingham

The story of Robin Hood and his nemesis the Sheriff of Nottingham is the stuff of legend and many variations of the tale have been pantomime fodder for a good number of years.  The constant thread which runs through every storyline though is the capture of Marian by the Sheriff and Robin’s efforts to rescue her.  My diary for the forthcoming 2022/2023 panto season already contains several Robin Hood pantomimes but I can guarantee that none of them will be set on a galaxy far, far away on the Planet Snot.  None that is except Geoff Durrant’s panto for Wellworth Players - Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Snottingham. To say this panto had a quirky script is an understatement.  We had a 6ft invisible rabbit, an Alexa, the flight deck of a space ship, an Eastenders’ pub and a castle. Not to mention Barbarella, Captain Berk, a Megazon delivery lady, an ATM machine and, at the denouement, three Robins.

The staging and technical effects were, to use an over-used word, amazing. The flight deck of the space ship alone was impressive but so were the castle and the Queen Vic.  Congratulations to the set building team and to Stage Manager Boggle on achieving the Director’s wish list with the electronics.  Lighting (Graham Emmett) was good and the sound was pitched at just the right level.  Costumes were a mixture as we travelled from Earth via a spaceship to outer space so well done to the costume team Karen Bays, Felicity Leonard and Marie Quick.

Musical Director Roger Billington with some well chosen songs did a great job on the music. Vocal talents varied from the excellent to the passable but everyone dealt with their songs well. There was a particularly enjoyable duet from Mucus (James Webb) and Jill (Becca Webb).  Choreography (Kathryn Edkins) was good and it was great to see the lovely smiles on the faces of the young dancers with Marian executing their dance routine so well and with such enjoyment.  

The show had a really strong cast who all created first rate characters but I must particularly commend young Trinity Clarke who held her own amongst many older and more experienced performers giving a confident performance as Harlequin. This young lady is one to watch, she has natural stage presence, good timing and a great delivery. 

The secret of a good panto is energy and attack and writer/director Geoff Durrant ensured the show rarely flagged. Ideas and panto gags came thick and fast and the audience loved it. 

This was my first visit to Wellworth Players and one I very much enjoyed.  Thank you for inviting me to join in your fun.

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