Rubbin Wood

Rubbin Wood was an adult pantomime performed by Stage Squad and written by their very own Sean Kennedy. As with any good panto, the story took the audience on a familiar journey this time echoing the classic tale of Robin Hood but with a brilliantly bold adult‑themed twist. From the moment the lights came up, it was clear that this production was not afraid to lean into innuendo, cheeky humour, and outrageous characterisation, all while maintaining the warmth and community spirit that makes amateur pantomime so beloved.

Rubbin Wood, played by Christian Muldoon, took to the stage with confidence and charisma. Christian brought a playful swagger to the role, fully embracing the exaggerated heroism and tongue‑in‑cheek bravado that the script demanded. His interactions with the audience were particularly enjoyable; he had a natural ease on stage and a willingness to throw himself into the more ridiculous moments without hesitation. Christain’s performance set the tone for the afternoon energetic, cheeky, and full of fun. The Sheriff, played by Gavin Pemberton, was a delightfully over‑the‑top villain. Gavin leaned into the character’s pompousness and scheming nature with gusto, delivering lines with a theatrical flourish that had the audience laughing throughout. His comic timing was sharp, and he struck a great balance between being menacing and utterly ridiculous. Every good panto needs a villain the audience loves to boo, and Gavin provided exactly that.

Wartiana, played by Danni Eastwood, was one of the standout performances of the afternoon. Danni was fantastic at characterisation, fully immersing herself in the role and bringing a wonderfully exaggerated physicality to the stage. She had the audience completely engaged, whether through her expressive reactions, her comedic delivery, or her ability to play off the other characters with ease. Moments such as her dramatic entrances or her interactions with the Sheriff showcased her talent for blending humour with strong stage presence. Sir Guy, played by David Finch, was great at capturing the character’s bumbling loyalty and comedic incompetence. David’s portrayal added a layer of slapstick charm to the production, and his chemistry with the Sheriff created several memorable moments. His commitment to the physical comedy whether stumbling, posing, or reacting in exaggerated horror added to the overall farcical tone of the show.

Maid Miriam, played by Hannah Davies, brought a lovely blend of sweetness and sass to the stage. Hannah’s performance balanced the innocence traditionally associated with Maid Marian with the cheekier tone of an adult panto. She delivered her lines with clarity and confidence, and her interactions with Rubbin Wood were playful and engaging. Hannah’s presence added warmth to the production, grounding some of the more outrageous moments with genuine charm. Fanny, played by Tasha Robson, was another highlight. Tasha embraced the comedic potential of the role wholeheartedly, delivering innuendo with impeccable timing and throwing herself into the physical humour with enthusiasm. Her character quickly became an audience favourite, and her ability to hold the stage even in the most chaotic scenes was impressive. Tasha’s performance embodied the spirit of adult pantomime: bold, cheeky, and utterly committed. While the show was full of energy and humour, there were moments where the dialogue felt wordy and lengthy. Some scenes could have benefited from tighter pacing, as the momentum occasionally dipped when exchanges became overly long. However, the cast handled these moments professionally, keeping the audience engaged even when the script demanded a lot of verbal delivery.

The adult humour, however, was fantastic. It had the audience in stitches from start to finish because it struck the perfect balance between naughty and playful without ever feeling crude for the sake of it. The jokes were well‑timed, the innuendo cleverly woven into the dialogue, and the cast’s delivery ensured that even the most outrageous lines landed with full comedic impact. The laughter was constant, and the atmosphere in the theatre was one of shared joy and mischief.

The costumes were great too, adding colour, personality, and visual humour to the production. Each character’s outfit reflected their role perfectly from the exaggerated villainy of the Sheriff to the whimsical charm of Maid Miriam. The costumes enhanced the comedy, especially in scenes where visual gags were incorporated, and they contributed to the overall polished feel of the show.

The choreography, created by Jennie Kennedy, was clear, creative, and accessible, allowing everyone on stage to shine. Jennie’s routines were well‑suited to the cast’s abilities and added energy to the musical numbers without overwhelming the performers. The movement was coordinated, lively, and full of character, helping to maintain the show’s pace and keeping the audience entertained between dialogue‑heavy scenes.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the arrow scene towards the end of the play. It was brilliant and highly effective, using an actor in a morph suit to create a visual gag that had the audience roaring with laughter. The creativity behind this moment demonstrated the production team’s willingness to think outside the box and embrace the playful absurdity that makes pantomime so enjoyable.

Overall, Rubbin Wood was a lively, cheeky, and thoroughly entertaining adult pantomime. Despite a few moments where the dialogue felt lengthy, the strong performances, clever humour, and creative staging made for a hugely enjoyable evening. Stage Squad delivered a production full of personality, laughter, and community spirit everything a good panto should be.

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