Robin Hood - Review by Hannah Fearns | British Youth Music Theatre

Robin Hood - Review by Hannah Fearns

***** (5 Stars)

Watford Palace Theatre - Saturday 7 December, 2013

Robin Hood is a pantomime that can be enjoyed by everyone: there are familiar songs, characters and audience participation. The hero, Robin Hood is joined by Little Joan and Friar Tuck, robbing the rich to pay the poor. The Sherriff of Nottingham as the villain, Maid Marian and her childhood nanny, Nurse Nelly are complemented by Shirley the soothsayer, from Sheffield. The good defeat the sheriff in the end, but along the way there are laughs, twists and true love.

Philip Cox (the Sheriff) is a suitably good villain and has good comic timing. Sheena Patel (the soothsayer) is an excellent comic actor and is ably supported by Terrence Frisch as Nurse Nellie. Little Joan (played by Erica Guyatt) is a nice comic touch and plays her part with zest. Donovan Blackwood as Friar Tuck is memorable and works well with Nurse Nellie. Robert Rees (Robin Hood) and Jill McAusland (Maid Marian) are perfectly matched and give heart to the pantomime.

The cast of seven works well together and their interactions are suitably humorous, appealing to both children and adults. The cast can both act and sing and draw the audience into the story. The plot is well thought out and has strands that keep the audience both interested and entertained. The cast though few in number, appear to fill the stage throughout both acts.

The set design is clever and incorporates jokes relating to the good folks of Watford. The scenery is both festive and appropriate to the plot and makes very good use of the stage. The ranges of costumes used are eye-catching and reflect the different scenes well.

The audience seemed to enjoy it and joined in enthusiastically when requested.

Robin Hood Watford Palace Theatre