Handsworth & Hallam Theatre Company’s Robin Hood – 29 January 2025, Montgomery Theatre
Review by Jacob Bush.
Panto season isn’t quite over yet. Oh no it’s not! Handsworth and Hallam Theatre Company are banishing those January (and early February!) blues with Robin Hood. After a year away from pantomime last year and a few years presenting Easter pantomimes, the company have returned to their regular slot. This also marks a return for the company to the Montgomery Theatre following its renovation. The venue is now accessible with a lift and lovely new seats have been installed into the stalls, providing a much more comfortable audience experience.
This version of Robin Hood is written by Tom Whalley, panto royalty of the North East. The script has just enough plot to keep the audience engaged, whilst providing all the gags we expect. It is very funny, made all the funnier by the talented cast, although at times it can venture a little too far into smutty jokes. This is supposed to be a family pantomime after all. The costumes from Molly Limpets Theatrical Emporium, as well as the set, are colourful and of high quality, leading to a very well put together production. With the quality of the show, you can easily forget you are watching an amateur pantomime.
Director Matthew Walker, assisted by Jane Jefferson-Blythe, clearly understands and loves the pantomime genre. He has a clear grasp of the style of comedy required and ensures all members of the cast land their jokes perfectly. Beth Cooke and Hayley Wilbourne’s choreography fits the show well, integrating everyone from the oldest members of the ensemble to youngest children (who are really very young) of the cast. The band under the direction of Steve Trotter sound great, with songs having a good amount of energy. Robin Hood boasts a splendid array of songs from a wide variety of genres, ensuring audience members of all ages will know and love something.
What really makes this production as funny and enjoyable as it is, is the fabulous cast. Matthew Walker, as well as directing the show, returns as dame – this year as Dame Nanny Fanny Flapjack. Walker must be one of the greatest dames on the amateur panto scene. He builds a solid rapport with the audience from the first second. He is hilarious making the audience, as well as his fellow cast mates, laugh a lot. He is also an all round triple threat, leading company musical numbers with ease. Opposite him is Joseph Walker as Silly Willy (yes, you can imagine the sorts of jokes that are coming…). He is equally as funny, bouncing well off his fellow cast members. Walker and Walker work wonderfully as a pair – it’s a shame this pantomime doesn’t give the opportunity for a slosh scene with the two of them.
More laughter comes from David Jefferson in some great cameos as The Hunchback, Michael Bear-ble and Big King Dick (yes, you read that right!), as well as the band of merry men. Stuart Ogden and Sam Widdowson are fabulously camp and wonderfully funny as Little John and Alan-a-Dale respectively. Widdowson also delivers some wonderful vocals throughout. Steve Mather characterises Friar Tuck perfectly, with a drier sense of humour than some other performers in the show – this works wonderfully.
Our leading romantic duo are Richard Granger, returning to pantomime after a three year hiatus, as Robin Hood and Sara Ross as Maid Marian. Both deliver musical numbers well, with Granger giving some particularly strong vocals – some of the strongest in the show. They build a great relationship on stage in the limited stage time they actually have together. Granger is a delight as our dashing hero, and Ross gives us a lovely traditional pantomime princess.
No pantomime is complete without its fairy and its baddie. Andrew Stansall is excellent as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Wonderfully evil, a strong stage presence and powerful vocals. Louise Loftus plays opposite him well as the Sherwood Sprite, leading musical numbers confidently and providing the perfect contrast to Stansall with her characterisation.
Robin Hood is a very funny evening out – perfect for a dark January night. It boasts a tremendous cast who all clearly understand and love pantomime. This surely has to be one of the best amateur pantomimes in the country.