The Rose Theatre Kingston-on-Thames – until Saturday 5 January 2025
Reviewed by Louise Ford
5*****
The pleasure’s all mine.
This year’s offering at the Rose is a much gentler show than your traditional pantomime. Oh yes it is! Gone are the brash colours, the slap stick, the double entendres and the general chaos that usually accompanies your annual pantomime. In its place is a muted tableau of costumes and sets (Anisha Fields), a gentle story with a twist and some magical music that doesn’t rely on rehashing pop songs. Having said that it does still contain some of the essential pantomime components rousing songs that got the audience clapping along, comedy and jokes, a villain, a hero and a good sprinkle of Christmas magic. There was also an enchanted puppet stag (Matthew Forbes. puppetry director) which at times stole the show.
Whilst the production has four adults in the main roles the show really belongs to the children and young adults in the cast. There are 38 young people from local communities and the Rose Youth Theatre. At the production I saw it was team blue, they were all excellent; word perfect and gaining confidence and presence as the show unfolded.
The show is a retelling of the legendary figure Robin Hood by Chris Bush and music by Matt Winkworth and is directed by Elin Schofield. The adult members of the cast all play musical instruments to accompany the songs which adds another dimension to the story and added impact to the quieter moments on stage. The titular role is played by Matthew Ganley (Robin Hood) a hero with a social conscience. The gags about trickle down economics and anarcho communists are great. Behind every hero is a strong woman, in this case the brains behind the bow is Maid Marian (Emma Manton). The story teller and musical link is Much (Jodie Cuaresma). The villain of the piece, played in Henry VIII style is the Sheffield Wednesday, sorry I mean Sheriff of Nottingham (Andrew Whitehead). One thing I really liked was the proper Nottingham accents adopted by Robin and Marion. Sadly no ayup me ducks just solid Nottingham accents! Well done Josh Mathieson.
Back to the story. It’s nearly Christmas and the village children are making home made gifts and dreaming about the annual Christmas feast given by the Sheriff. The chance to eat their fill of swans beaks and all manner of delicacies and there could be left overs, whatever they may be. Little do they know that there’s a new Sheriff in town. He’s been moved to the provinces and he isn’t too happy with his new job or location, even if it is a promotion . He’s out to impress his royal visitors so he needs to clean up the forest and fill his coffers. He’s also doing a spot of redecorating in the castle, a Medieval Farrow and Ball paint chart.
The stage is set for a battle of wits and arrows, as Robin and the gang look to thwart the Sheriff’s plans and bring festive joy to all. A great evening’s entertainment for all ages.