Stage Dragon Review: Christmas Pantomime Robin Hood – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 4 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 4 Dec, 2024

Lucy Benjamin and Ensemble

By Ferenc Hepp

As shops and radio stations start playing Christmas music and lights go up on High Streets, it must mean one thing: panto season!

And this year’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre panto is one of the best in recent years. It is Robin Hood and last night a very enthusiastic full house, made up of all ages, had a great time.

As usual, it is an original production, directed by the theatre’s chief executive, Joanna Read.

The energy is infectious right from the very start, with a high-octane opening number of The Greatest Show from The Greatest Showman, involving the talented young ensemble, mainly from Laine Theatre Arts and the Performance Preparation Academy.

They work well together throughout; it is obvious that they have a fantastic time on stage and perform all the numbers with total commitment and great characterisation.

Lucy Benjamin as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Ricky Oakley as Robin Hood

It is not long until we meet the main protagonists of the show, starting with Marion. Safia Bartley is full of charm, smiles and fun throughout, and has a good chemistry with Ricky Oakley as Robin Hood.

Oakley takes a little longer to get going and become fully immersed in his character but he has lots of special moments later on. Matt Pinches (Guildford Shakespeare Company) is back for his second appearance in panto as Much, and he does not disappoint. He is a complete natural at this art form, giving 110 per cent to his performance, making us laugh out loud every time he is on stage.

Peter Gordon as Nanny Fanny Annie and Matt Pinches as Much

The same goes for Guildford’s very own Peter Gordon, back for his incredible nineteenth year, as Nanny Fanny Annie this time. He has certainly mastered the dame role, his innuendos, facial expressions and performance are flawless, in fact, I wish he had more stage time than he has this year.

Recent drama school graduate Jacob Kohli as Lil John is a fantastic support to the leading players with good charisma. However, the highlight must be attributed to Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders) as The Sheriff of Nottingham.

Matt Pinches, Lucy Benjamin and Ensemble

She is the baddie, but she does not only get the boos from the audience; there are cheers, there is laughter, she makes the part completely her own, with incredible energy from beginning to end, and a fabulous sense of humour.

The panto contains a lot of traditional elements such as a colourful set framing the action, the slosh scene and the Twelve Days of Christmas, both of which are highlights and create the usual mess on stage, cheesy Christmas cracker style jokes, storytelling and fun for children, as well as innuendos that the adults will appreciate.

The script is well written, it is brilliantly staged, and it is entertaining for all ages. During the Song Sheet, Much tells us that he feels ‘zinging’. If you want to find out how that feels and have a fantastic festive treat, buy yourself a ticket before it’s too late!

The other members of the creative team providing the magic on stage include Andrew Linham as musical director, putting together a wide variety of numbers of different styles, which all complement the action perfectly, wonderfully colourful costumes by Nancy Surman, lively dance numbers skilfully led by the ensemble by choreographer, Verity Holt, all brought to life on stage as a joyous spectacle for our eyes and ears by lighting designer John Harris and sound designer Josh Robins.

Robin Hood runs until Sunday, January 5, and tickets are available via www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or 01483 440000.