29 Jul 2024
The Pantaloons bring their take on the legends of Sherwood Forest to the Roman Theatre, as Deborah Heath discovers…
Visiting company The Pantaloons impressed me last year with their playful and energetic version of ‘Comedy of Errors’. Looking back at my notes I praised their “signature blend of comedy, music and improvisation” and I am happy to say that this hilarious production of ‘Robin Hood’ sees them strut their stuff once more, bringing joy to the auditorium.
The Pantaloons were on to a winner with their choice of play because I defy any audience member to say they aren’t familiar with a version of this classic story, whether it be TV, film or stage. We all know what we can expect and that we will love it – archery competition, fighting, romance, not to mention a healthy rich vs poor
debate. We are also familiar with the stock characters – Robin, Maid Marion, the evil Sherrif of Nottingham, Friar Tuck, the list goes on. However, this familiarity is in many ways a poisoned chalice because it can be hard to shift from the expectations set from a favourite version.
I grew up with the Tony Robinson CBBC show which was energetic and funny and led to my first independent teenage trip to the cinema towatch the Kevin Costner version, which wasn’t.
Robin Hood is one of those stories that has been told, re-told and embellished over hundreds of years and that’s where its power lies – the ability to reflect each time’s mood and prevailing themes within a timeless story Mark Hayward, who adapted the tale for this production explains: “Everyone else will have their own favourite take on Robin Hood… I’ve remixed them once again for my adaptation, picking all my favourite bits of the legends (and some bits from…other sources).”
He did a great job and I can promise you, you are in for a fun night.
Last year, The Pantaloons presented ‘Comedy of Errors’ with a cast of four, this year they give us a company of just three to play everyone in ‘Robin Hood’! It is a fast-paced, rollicking ride with a hugely talented bunch of versatile actor-musicians who convincingly portrayed each role. They focussed on playing the exciting story with
small cast without giving it the extra complication of, for example, a modern context. While I applaud modern re-imaginings of classic tales, they can sometimes get over-complicated and I felt this was the best approach for their production.
Mark Hayward explains: “Maybe it’s the spirit of teamwork that makes the tales of Robin Hood so appealing.”
Thus having it played by such a small cast meant that this teamwork is reflected in the method of telling the story, not just the story itself.
So what of the team? Well Neill Jennings was a sinister and funny Sherrif of Nottingham with a pleasing nod to Dr Evil. I also particularly enjoyed his Will Scarlet.
Richard Lessen as Robin Hood did a great job of showing Robin’s sincerity and managed all his other roles with a pleasing contrast of skills; well done.
Kathryn Louise was equally at home as the serious Maid, no “Lady” Marion and the hilarious ‘Allo ‘Allo style Madame la Double Entendre but I also loved her Friar Tuck.
All three performers demonstrated their musical talents too with ukulele, guitar and flute, this was a really nice extra layer. Anther aspect of their interpretation that relied heavily on their teamwork was the audience participation which they all handled skilfully, sometimes going so far as to steal the audience’s food.
They began the production by asking us to be their Merry Men, they put us at ease and made us feel involved in the storytelling which, if we go back to Mark Hayward’s objective of combining a bit of everyone’s favourite interpretation made it even more personal.
My only criticism of the whole show was that I felt that some of their songs could have been catchier. For example, one that worked really well was Will Scarlet’s end song.
Now, although there were only three cast members I cannot finish this review withouta nod to the action figures The Pantaloons used to tell the ‘falling down a hole’ scene. It was very well-executed and provided a different method of storytelling; miniaturisation.
I loved some of the Easter eggs in the production too with lines such as: “Everything I do, I do it for me”. The puns were great too: “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way.”
However the best parts of the show for me were the archery sections. The competition was actually very exciting, and I loved the way they found participants from the audience. Their method of shooting the arrows is very funny but I won’t spoil this for you now.
Please get a ticket for the final night of this show on August 22 – this is a must-see adaptation presented by a hugely talented bunch who will leave you feeling thoroughly merry. Bravo Pantaloons!
