Robin Hood review: Its a riot of colour which gives and takes in equal measure.
Robin Hood review by Katey Thompson.
The thrill of seeing a pantomime at Christmas is great, the expectation of the show that you are about to see is exciting. The chatter of children looking forward to being dazzled by the singing and dancing is loud as they wait for the show to start. It is packed with entertainment, song, dance, acrobatics, and a great magical performance from Merlin. The show is very visually appealing, sets burst with colour, the fabulously painted screens captivate and combined with the costumes, the stage is a riot of colour.
Robin Hood is essentially a comedy vehicle for Shane Richie as the titular character, whose gaffs and overacting is smattered throughout the performance, and he manages to keep the audience buoyed along, as well as entertaining the cast as well.
There were shining lights, notably Ashleigh Gray as a pretty Spirit of Sherwood whose skill and professionalism carried the show on its intended journey, her outfits shimmered and sparkled as you would expect. Even Shane’s poorly timed entrance (and quick exit stage left) couldn’t flap her. Friar Tuck (Peter Piper) worked the audience skillfully and carried the adults and children along with him with their eager responses and ready laughter. The jokes were good, pushing the boundary of innuendo, and getting us all laughing out loud.
Particularly entertaining and to be greatly recommended were the Acromaniacs who added a real circus style energy and vivacity to the show. The magical performance from Merlin (Phil Hitchcock) had the audience captivated, levitating fire and making several white doves seemingly disappear and reappear at will. The smoke and firework effects were also used to magical effect especially whenever the Spirit of Sherwood appeared.
One character who could have been given an even darker side, perhaps with the addition of a bit of smoke was the sheriff of Nottingham brilliantly played by Pete Gallagher, who was decidedly wicked, but was ultimately a quite likeable villain.
The huge animatronic T-Rex and the CGI trip through Sherwood Forest, featuring terrifying creepy crawlies and beasts which appeared (accompanied by screams from the audience), either side of the interval should perhaps have been left at the theme park, as they were definitely at odds with the style of the rest of the enchanting pantomime panto.
Overall the production had all the hallmarks of a good pantomime, however tenuously the story line was strung together. It had everything you could want from a panto, and some things that you might not. Perhaps a health warning about the special effects wouldn’t go amiss, but do carefully consider taking younger children to this show.
Robin Hood is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until Sunday 7th January, 2018.
