Salisbury Playhouse – until 12 January 2020
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Silly season has begun and what a way to start it. I always look forward to the Salisbury Playhouse Pantos as they never fail to impress me and this years outstanding effort did not let me down. This year I borrowed a friends child as a cover to fully immerse myself in the booing, cheering and “he’s behind you’s” but on surveying the audience there were many adults in attendance without a young sidekick who were very involved and loving it. Its a fantastic, intimate venue which suits panto well as it can wrap its sparkly magical arms around the audience and bring them in nice and close for the adventure.
The story this year was about the well known Robin Hood and his quest to save his one true love Maid Marion from the dastardly (but hilarious) Sheriff Of Nottingham. With the help of his merry men Friar Tuck and Alan A’dale along with Marion’s Nurse Nora Virus they come up with a cunning plan to get her back. There are some well known songs along the way adapted for the production that will get everyone’s toes tapping paired with fantastic choreography in the show tunes and fight scenes.
The set is well designed with colourful backdrops for Sherwood Forest and the sheriffs castle with an appearance from the most adorable dragon!
It has everything a family friendly panto should have, big costumes, slapstick, multi levelled jokes, heroes, heroines and true love. It matches any of the “big budget” pantos I’ve seen and the fact its home grown makes it special. To date, it has become the favourite one I’ve seen at the Playhouse as every year they get better and better. My young sidekick did not stop laughing and singing from start to finish, it was his first ever panto and I’m glad it was this one. On asking what his favourite part was, he thought the Sheriff was funny, he liked the pretty nurse and loved the “bottom jokes” …..not more you can ask for really!