Thomas Hopkins and John Rogerson announce that Rufus Hound, Bronté Barbé, and Natalie Casey will head the cast for an industry presentation of the final two-act show before a full prodution is announced of Maid Marian and Her Merry Men A New Musical, based on Sir Tony Robinson’s hit BBC TV series.
Book, Music & Lyrics by Olivier Award winning writer Vikki Stone (Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show, Cinderella – Lyric Hammersmith), directed by Benji Sperring (An Act Of God, The Toxic Avenger).
Sir Tony Robinson is now confirmed as Executive Producer for the production as it prepares for an expected UK premiere in early 2026.
Sherwood just got a serious shake up! Maid Marian and Her Merry Men are back and this time, the girl with the brains is calling the shots. Forget everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood: Marian is the true rebel leader, running rings around power-mad King John, the hapless Sheriff, and a forest full of fools.
After two years of raucous workshops and development, the show now arrives in its final, dazzling form, a brand-new musical comedy packed with outrageous songs, wild slapstick, and razor-sharp wit. Catapulting Tony Robinson’s BAFTA-winning cult TV hit onto the stage, it explodes with daft disguises, disastrous archery, ludicrous taxes, and plenty of merry mayhem. Smart, silly, and gloriously subversive. Marian’s gang is ready to steal the show.
Vikki Stone said:
“I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be writing Maid Marian. Its was one of my absolute favourite kids TV shows in the ‘90s, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with comedy legend Sir Tony Robinson on this wonderful show.”
Producer Thomas Hopkins said:
“I’m beyond excited to bring one of my all time favourite childhood TV shows to life as a brand new British family stage musical. Tony’s hit BBC TV show Maid Marian and Her Merry Men was a huge part of my growing up, and to reimagine it now for the stage, with such an exciting team of creatives and a dream cast is a real honour. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the magic and mayhem we’ve created together in this new musical.”
Cast includes
Bronté Barbé (Maid Marian) was Kathy in Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder, Katherine Plumber in Newsies.
Rufus Hound (King John) is an award winning actor, presenter and comedian. His extensive list of West End stage credits include the lead role of ‘Freddy’ in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Francis Henshall in One Man Two Guv’nors and ‘Toad’ in Wind In The Willows.
Natalie Casey (Sheriff of Nottingham) was Carol Groves in the C4’s Hollyoaks (1996–2000) and Donna Henshaw in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001–2011).
Mateo Oxley (Robin Hood) was recently Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps.
Ashley Samuels (Barrington) was Jim in Just For One Day (Old Vic).
Jennie Jacobs (Graham/Old Tony) was The Mezzo Soprano in Stiletto (Charing Cross Theatre).
Creative team:
Executive Producer: Tony Robinson
Book, Music & Lyrics: Vikki Stone
Director: Benji Sperring
Musical Supervisor & Arranger: Paul Schofield
Musical Director: Gabriel Chernick
Movement Director: Sundeep Saini
Sound Designer: Dan Samson
Producers: Thomas Hopkins & John Rogerson
General Management: Thomas Hopkins Productions
SIR TONY ROBINSON
Sir Anthony Robinson is an actor, author, comedian and presenter best-known for playing Baldrick in BBC’s instant classic, Blackadder. The TV star, born in August 1946, studied at Wanstead County High grammar school before later enrolling at the Central School of Speech and Drama in 1963. He kicked off his acting career at the age of 13, appearing in a number of West End plays and musicals including Oliver!. Tony went on to win an Arts Council bursary to work as a director at the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham where he founded the Avon Touring Company. In the early 1970s, Tony made his debut on the silver screen, appearing in Sam on Boffs’ Island and Play Away. Clearly a natural, the comedian went on to star in Channel 4’s series, Who Dares Wins. Tony enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s thanks to his memorable performance as bumbling servant Baldrick in Blackadder. As the series progressed, Tony quickly became associated with the catchphrase “I have a cunning plan.” In 1989 the show Maid Marian and her Merry Men first aired and would continue to run for four series. Tony created and wrote the show, as well as starring as the Sheriff of Nottingham.
VIKKI STONE
Vikki Stone is an award-winning writer, composer, comedian and musician, who has a rather unique set of skills in writing, classical music, musical theatre as well as over ten years on the road as a stand-up comedian. Her writing credits include: co-adapter, writer and music supervisor for the Oliver Award winning Hey Duggee Live, #zoologicalsociety for Royal & Derngate, Cinderella & Aladdin for The Lyric Hammersmith, Alice In Wonderland (music and lyrics) for the Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, Peter Pan (music and lyrics) for Rose Theatre Kingston, Dick Whittington for the New Wolsey Theatre, Ten Pieces Special Report for BAFTA Nominated children’s music series BBC Ten Pieces, Our Girls Our Game for The British Youth Music Theatre. Vikki made history when she was the musical director, pianist and band leader of the Saturday night ITV prime-time show Romeo and Duet, making her the first on-screen female musical director of a primetime entertainment show in the UK. She has also been developing a major musical theatre series for Disney +.
BENJI SPERRING
Benji’s directing credits include: Yeast Nation (Southwark Playhouse), An Act of God (Vaults Theatre), Night Of The Living Dead Live (Pleasance Theatre), Liver Birds – Flying Home (Royal Court Liverpool), Toxic Avenger The Musical (Southwark Playhouse, Pleasance Edinburgh, Arts Theatre West End), Shock Treatment (Kings Head Theatre), How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Wilton’s Music Hall).