Robin Hood What a Legend

A “homegrown” panto script was the Devils choice for their 17th pantomime.  This time Robin Hood - What a Legend written especially for the company by James Nicholas.

In this version Robin and his trusted band of Merry Men (in tights) try to outfox the Sheriff of Nottingham and rescue Lady Marian from a fate worse than death - marriage to said Sheriff - helped by Marian’s old nurse, Nurse Hannah Septic (NHS) and Dobbin the cow - don’t ask!

One of the strengths of the show was the good choice of songs and the excellent singing throughout.  Choreography was well executed too with routines which suited everyone’s abilities.

Tess Garner made a good thigh slapping Robin and worked well with Fran Fitsall as Lady Marian.  Both confident performers with good voices.  

Alex Ager as Nursie had the audience on his side from the start but, for me personally, I did find his  constant movement and facial gymnastics a bit wearing. Nevertheless, he did a good job and the audience loved him.  Matt Attwood as Dobbin (the one-man cow) after a shaky start did well and I must compliment whoever did Dobbin’s make-up which was excellent..

Simon Crisp as the Sheriff of Nottingham proved a popular villain although he struggled to get the requisite boos on the first night.  I felt he could perhaps have been even more nasty especially working with two such inept guards as Black and Decker played by David Blair and Rob Algar - who has a great voice by the way..  Maybe the audience was too polite.  Amy Metcalf as Meg the Witch had a good line in cackles as well as spells.  

In Robin’s eclectic band of Merry Men Mick Peacock gave a likeable performance as the hen-pecked Little John and Frank Barker in the role of Will Scarlet got more effeminate as the show went on gathering feathers and scarves on the way.  Jess Bendon made a very bouncy and enthusiastic Alan A’Dale who never got round to playing his lute , poor soul and there was good support from Carol Collins as Much and Richard Fisher as Friar Tuck.

Jackie Crisp as the Narrator did a grand job of keeping things on course and I don’t think I have ever seen a pantomime with such a hard working, multi-tasking Chorus  There was only six of them but they were everywhere in many guises. Congratulations Jo Charlesworth, Sue Faircloth, Vicky Mills, Sue Murphy, Alison Swain and Fiona Wharton (doubling as King Richard) on doing such an absolutely excellent job. This fine cast was completed by Frank Bendon doing very little trade as Silas the Dung Seller and Nigel Clark as Blind Poo. 

I must make mention of David Blair and the stage-build team who spent so much time turning a sports hall into a theatre auditorium and to those who worked hard hanging the huge banners front of house and in the hall to create such a colourful effect.  On the technical side the staging was very good. The colourful costumes and backcloths were splendid and the scene changes executed as efficiently and as swiftly as space and facilities allowed.  The lighting and sound effects (though rather loud) were very good and mostly on cue give or take a gremlin or two on the first night.

The secret of a successful panto is pace and attack and this show had both aplenty. Everyone involved did full justice to a good, if overlong, script of which the writer and director James Nicholas can be justifiably proud.

This was my first visit to a ‘Devils’ pantomime and I enjoyed both the show and the lovely friendly and welcoming atmosphere very much.  Thank you for inviting me.

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