RobinHood and the babes in the wood

After seeing last years pantomime which was excellent I was looking forward very much to the 2018 production. Sadly I have to express my disappointment in “Robin Hood and the Babes in the wood”.

Let me say however that this had nothing to do with the cast. The failure from my point of view was the script. It simply did not allow the players themselves to show off their talents. Director Liz Youster made the best of what she had but it must have been a struggle for her. She is worthy of better than this. Maintaining any real sort of pace in the action must have been difficult.

What of the cast itself. Gareth Crawshaw (Allan-a-Dale) has demonstrated his talents on many occasions but this role although he tried his best left him without any opportunity to use them.

Marc Smith(The Sheriff) had the best chance to make his mark and seized it with both hands. I suspect there was an element of Ad-libbing from him and it worked.

Barry Prescott (Winnie Widebottom) is another seasoned performer but was restrained by the authors interpretation of a Dame part. Barry is an expert at handling and getting laughs but there was little to get his teeth into on this occasion.

Stacey King (Robin) and Tanya Wood(Maid Marian) did what they could but had no songs worth recording which is normally such a feature of these roles.

Dennis (Yahya Baggish) another who gave his best but in reality had little or nothing of meaning to say.

Friar Tuck (Steve Youster) looked right and would have been right but had nothing to make the most of in his role. Another who was unable to show his real acting skill .

I did like the rabbits Susan Braddock and Rachel Glynn-Williams. Nice idea this and well done to both ladies.

Susan Reeve(little Joan),Josh Madden(Tommy),Tilly (Annabel Glynn-Williams),Chris Clinton and Russell Davies (the Guards)and the Chorus(Owen Devlin and Rhys Glynn-Williams) all made their necessary contribution. Nicola Lawton was choreographer for Xteme Dance Studios who provided us with some simple but effective routines. The back stage crew and helpers again did their part

As I said at the beginning I think the problems lay with a Script which simply did not allow the Carlton Players to perform to their usual high standard. Budge

 

 

 

 

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