ANDREW Pollard has done it again. The
writer, actor and now director and seasoned dame has put together
another barn storming panto at Greenwich Theatre.
This year it’s Robin Hood and from
the moments the lights go down and a version of Bon Jovi’s Living
on a Prayer blasts out, the atmosphere is electric.
The next two hours zip by all too
quickly jam packed as they are with plenty of gags, live music,
dancing, magic, silliness, mayhem, and a fair few ad libs to spice
things up a bit.
The action is set in Sherwood Forest –
although there are plenty of local and topical references including
an obligatory nod to this summer’s Olympics.
Robin Hood (Michael Harris) is hiding
out in the forest with his band of merry men including Friar Tuck
(Paul Critoph) and Alan McDale (Garry Ellis) robbing from the evil
Sherrif (Anthony Spargo) and dishing out the loot to the poor.
However things start hotting up when he
realises his childhood sweetheart Maid Marian (Arabella Rodrigo) is
staying at the Sherrif’s castle with her nurse Joan Germoline
(Pollard).
Pollard’s script is terrific, full of
slapstick and manages to produce not one but three love matches, and
his naughty naughty nursie is both saucy and silly.
With lots of interaction between the
cast and the audience, amazing sets, outrageous costumes, a fabulous
cast – particularly Anthony Spargo and his pet vulture – and
plenty of jokes to please everyone’s tastes, this is a crowd
pleaser of the best sort and proves that you don’t have to have big
names to put on a great family show.
Pollard has once again set the bar by
which other pantos are judged. It’s an absolute belter of a show
and will have you laughing out loud way beyond Christmas.
Robin Hood is on at Greenwich Theatre,
until January 6.
Tickets from £19, concessions £16.
Visit www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk
or call 020 8858 7755
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