Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood Review

City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds – 5 December 2015

Delightfully cheesy, wonderfully camp and totally over the top – just how a good pantomime should be.   Full of family fun with just the right amount of adult humour to keep it on the right side of clean.

Written by Peter Rowe this rock”n”roll panto was full of tenuous song links, musical led by Tristan Parkes.

The cast were all multi talented singing, acting and playing a variety of musical instruments. Stand out performance definitely belonging to Louisa Beadel and her stunning drumming to Meatloaf.

With a stunning cast all seemingly enjoying themselves it made the performance more enjoyable. Eamon Fleming was Nanny Nellie Night nurse a rather restrained panto dame, with an interesting taste in clothes.  Peter Manchester’s Robin and Liz Singletons Marian were good together, whilst Robin was channeling his inner Lord Flasheart Marian was fiesty and brave.

Darrell Brockis’ Sheriff was dastardly indeed but his henchmen Kenny Davies “Numbskull” and Alexander Bean “Portcullis” were lovable in their buffoonery.

With the raining cast made up of Matthew Burns, Mike Slader, Louisa Beadel and Sophie Byrne, this is a modern slant on the traditional that works incredibly well.

A simple show, sticking to the story, this is what Christmas and panto should be about.

On at the outstandingly beautiful City Varieties until 10 January, it is truly worth the trip to see Pantomime has it should be