Robin Hood and his Band of Merrie Men
Aunty Jen Productions
Studley Sports & Social Club, Eldorado Close, Studley
FAST paced, sharp, great songs, great acting and fantastic fun.
Hand on heart, this is the happiest panto this reviewer has ever seen.
No kidding, from the moment Danny Teitge’s guitar-slinging troubadour Alan a Dale strolls on stage to the tik-tok grand finale it’s nothing short of pure joy.
And it’s not just the audience with smiles on their faces either, as the cast seem to be having a great time too.
I honestly don’t know how Aunty Jen Productions do it, but together they have put together a show that will delight young and old and blow away those pandemic lockdown blues – take a bow scriptwriter Oliver Hume!
Sisters Annaliese and Nicolette Marie Morgan make a fantastic Robin Hood and Maid Marian, Neville Cann is a wonderfully sinister Sheriff of Nottingham while Mark Jefferies is hilarious as panto dame Nurse Lucy.
Holding it all together is the wonderful Jen Rigby as Jen Lidl, the nice but dim minion of the Sheriff who soon discovers the error of her ways and joins the gang.
The entire production is laced through with a great and eclectic selection of songs all performed with real verve – and check out those dance moves!
Somehow it’s all done on the tiny stage and dance floor of the sports and social club but such is the quality of the choreography it never appears crowded.
The costumes are stunning too, from Nurse Lucy’s outrageous arrows outfit to Maid Marian’s beautifully cut gowns.
With bells and rattles for the audience there’s plenty of opportunity to make some noise and really join in the fun.
Plus, it’s such an intimate venue as an audience member you’ll probably never get closer to the action.
Obviously, these are Covid times, but the production team have ensured all tables are socially distanced, there’s hand sanitisers and you’re free to wear a face mask.
Tickets cost from just £6, rising to £16 for the drink and pizza option – be warned though, the pizza is a hearty meal that will keep you happily munching all the way through the interval.
The show runs until January 3, and is for me is the panto of the season – for tickets, visit: https://auntyjenproductions.co.uk
Ross Crawford
