Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Sunday 9 January 2022
Reviewed by Louise Ford
4****
What better way to start the Christmas festivities than to see a pantomime and the perfect choice of Robin Hood, making a welcome return to his home city!
The panto has come to town cue; comedy, extravagant costumes, quick changes, gags, tongue twisters, a colourful set and superb dance routines. This season’s production is brought to Nottingham by Crossroads Pantomimes.
As you would expect the plot is pretty straightforward, whilst our cocky hero is busy robbing the rich to feed the poor his arch nemesis The Sheriff of Nottingham is out to thwart him. The Sheriff has a cunning plan to capture Robin with an archery competition. Fortunately Robin has not only his Merry Men but also his love interest Maid Marion on his side. So all does not go the Shefiff’s way.
The Sheriff of Nottingham (Tristan Gemmill) is the perfect pantomime villain played with just enough menace and dark intent to be scary but not terrifying the younger members of the audience. The hero of our tale Robin Hood (Matt Terry) is a kind and gentle hero. The heroine of the piece Maid Marion (Lucy May Baker) is all pluck and girl power and demonstrates a mean fencing style! The story teller is The Spirit of Sherwood (Jodie Prenger), who is in fine voice.
The comedy is provided by Dame Tilly Tuck ( cross dressing and quick change artiste Matthew Kelly) and her son Silly Simon (Phil Walker), they provide the innuendos for the adults and interaction with the audience (call me later Roger). They are aided and abetted by Alan-A-Dale (ventriloquist Kieran Powell) who does a sterling job! The frenetic and chaotic rendition of the 12 days of Christmas had the audience in hysterics and left the cast a giggling, exhausted pile on the stage.
There are also circus skills at Goose Fair provided by Dennis Remnev .
The stars of the show are the cool hoods played by Flawless who are slick and step perfect with their routines.
It was a packed house and the audience were as excited as the cast to get the panto party started. The odd glitch and word stumble left the cast and audience in stitches. A great evening’s entertainment I’m not sure how they are going to keep up the energy for two performances a day until January. Best of luck and onwards to 2022!