Civic Theatre, Rotherham – until 5th January 2025
Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth
3***
Rotherham Civic Theatre is feeling festive and getting in the Christmas spirit with its band of merry men. Join Robin Hood and his entourage to get festive this December and by doing so you will encounter all the usual pantomime delicacies that Imagine Theatre has in store for you and the family.
The show opens and you are transported into Sherwood Forest to follow the tale of Robin (Kieran Lynch), his men and his love interest Maid Marian (Alicia Belgarde). Things are not going too merrily in the Forest as the evil Sherriff of Nottingham (Bethan Searle) has raised taxes. Marian has run away into the forest with Peter and Penny (the Sheriffs niece and nephew) and Robin has to try to recruit a team of his men, to try save the day alongside him. Will they manage to save the day and get everyone smiling again…There are lots of your typical panto gags, innuendos from Little Jane, played by Neil Varu, and audience participation.
The first act is quite slow with a lot of dialog, which sometimes loses the attention span of the little people in the audience. But this does a rapid upturn in the second act starting off strongly and keeps the audience on their toes, with some regular scene changes and more musical numbers. The audience particularly loved the tricks and jokes during the haunted bedroom scene, when seemingly the ghosts were trying their hardest to get Little Jane when she was trying to get to sleep, great use of trap doors and spinning beds. Lots of laughs from the children and adults too in the auditorium.
Great performance from Phoebe Nixon playing the Fairy Faraway, consistent and professional all the way through. She also has a great ‘rhyme off’ with the Sherriff. Emily Vinnicombe plays Freya Tuck and has one of the standout performances on the stage. Comedic timing and charisma is all spot on. Belgarde has a well-trained, wonderful voice for musical theatre, although was let down in this particular performance by the low microphone levels at times. Lynch added some beautiful vocals in to the mix along with his playful charm.
Brilliant costumes, especially notable for the Little Jane with many flamboyant dame changes. Well done to the creative Imagine Theatre team for delivering.
A fun-filled, gags-a-plenty, festive cracker suitable for the entire family.