Nottingham.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BABES IN THE WOOD
by Kenneth Alan Taylor.
Nottingham Playhouse Wellington Circus NG1 5AF To 19 January 2013.
Runs 2hr 45min. One interval.
TICKETS: 0115 9419419.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell 1 December.
A riotous evening alright.
Another riotous evening’s entertainment from Kenneth Alan Taylor and his Nottingham Playhouse panto team. Year after year they stick to their traditional methods, and year after year they come up with the goods.
The cast are largely familiar but there are some new faces. Taylor stars once again as the dame – Nurse Nelly Noggins to great audience delight. As ever, he steals the show through his repartee with audience and cast. There are countless jokes, old and new, many with punchlines delivered by audience members who have heard them before. This familiarity is all part of the joy of a Playhouse panto. The cast and audience alike keep returning for more.
Adam Barlow returns as a thigh-slappingly good hero Robin Hood – handsome, charming and with a fabulous voice to boot. Rebecca Little appears in her 12th Playhouse panto – this year as Tilly Tuck the Tomboy. John Elkington, in his 14th appearance in a Playhouse panto is a suitably slimy and villainous Sheriff of Nottingham. Both Elkington and Taylor show consummate skill in playing the audience and other cast members. Their ‘Gangnam Style’ routine has everybody out of their seats through numerous encores.
Anthony Hoggard as Sheriff’s sidekick Arnold is a joy, playing a simpleton; there were moments of being unable to breathe, I was laughing so much.
Talented Playhouse newcomer Tim Frater is Will Scarlet. His unwitting disguises as a range of women become more and more outlandish, until his Valkyrie sets the Sheriff’s heart a-flutter. With superb dancing skills and vocal range he is a welcome addition to the Playhouse Christmas family.
Hannah Whittingham (Milly Miller) and Danielle Corlass (Maid Marion) are charming, attractive and talented, delivering some belting musical numbers.
The team of young dancers must be mentioned – their contribution to the show is huge. They are polished and poised, with professionalism beyond their years.
Tim Meacock’s gorgeous set is perfect for this Christmas extravaganza. John Morton’s musical team bring the whole performance to life.
Christmas has arrived in Nottingham again and there couldn’t be a better way to celebrate it than a visit to the Playhouse.
Arnold: Anthony Hoggard.
Robin Hood: Adam Barlow.
Will Scarlett: Tim Frater.
Tilly Tuck the Tomboy: Rebecca Little.
Milly Miller: Hannah Whittingham.
Maid Marion: Danielle Corlass.
The Sheriff of Nottingham: John Elkington.
Nurse Nelly Noggins: Kenneth Alan Taylor.
William: Ben Bailey/Jack Sinclair/Myles Keogh.
Mary: Victoria Todd/Daisy Chell/Rosie Roberts.
Red Team: Lauren Pringle, Sophie Bond, Phoebe Wallington, Amy Cross, Sarah Robinson, Jade Lee, Alice Sikora, Charlotte Burrows.
Blue Team: Erin Keogh, Leah Foy Hollingsworth, Alice Ingram, Ruby Greenwood, Tia Wilkins, Laura Jones, Alicia Pears, Nicole Norman.
Director: Kenneth Alan Taylor.
Designer: Tim Meacock.
Lighting: Jason Taylor.
Sound: Adam P McCready.
Musical Director: John Morton.
Choreographer: Adele Parry.
Fight director: Philip D’Orléans.
Dance captain: Rebecca Little.
2012-12-07 11:38:25
