It’s a pretty naff story but a large cast tells it with such verve and determination that ultimately all that matters is that Robin weds Maid Marion, which he does, so all’s well that ends well!
Director Jeanne Stacey elicits big, broad performances from her motley crew who fill the Rhodes from the tiny stage to the back of the auditorium with fun and laughter. There are a few too many fart jokes for my taste but, naturally, the kids love them. The costumes by Jules Dale are impressive and include a scary witch and some funky Blues Brothers outfits for a forest hoedown, as well as a colourful wedding scene.
Lee Ellaway returns to Stortford as a lovely, blowsy Dame (“I do like a nice warm hand on my entrance”), while Phil Dale as the evil Sheriff, resplendent in black leather, insults everyone and wields a mighty sword with panache. Nathan Stickley and Dan James are his two very amusing bumbling sidekicks. Faye Linden smiles brightly as a super-clean Robin and sings sweetly with Grace Wheeler as a very charming Maid Marion.
There’s spectacle, there’s plenty of audience participation and there’s a punchy duo (Alistair Dean and Phil Childs) in the pit who keep the whole thing going at breakneck speed.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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