Panto season is in full swing and this was fully evident at New Wimbledon for their press night of Robin Hood. I do love a pantomime having grown up with them as part of my family Christmas tradition and later working front of House for a local pantomime for 7 years in a row but I was more excited than normal for this one thanks to New Wimbledon’s headline act….Diversity!

Robin Hood as a pantomime has a pretty thin story line which revolves around the Sheriff of Nottingham trying to catch Robin Hood and his Merry Men and putting on an archery competition to do so luckily with the help of Spirit of Sherwood good prevails. It does also lack some of the pantomime troupes such as a dame…but did I miss a more fleshed out story line or a dame….not at all.

The show is lead by Ashley Banjo as Robin Hood and his Merry Men (in particular Perri and Jordan) are the rest of Diversity. They are given ample opportunity on stage to show just why they are one of the biggest names in dance and it is these moments that really wow. These moments never feel out of place in the pantomime and are themed well with the rest of the pantomime. In particular these moments had stand out lighting design by Rory Beaton that really enhanced the ‘wow’ factor if Diversity’s dance. Diversity however prove that they are more than a dance act and Ashley, Jordan and Perri get fully involved in many of the scenes and lean into the pantomime silliness which results in some very funny moments.

It wasn’t just Diversity that ensured this pantomime was a success. Pete Firman played Will Scarlett, who is desperate to join the Merry Men. He is a natural entertainer and skilled magician with his magic tricks impressing everyone in the audience. Steve Arnott as The Sheriff of Nottingham is suitably villainous and on the opposite end of the scale Lauren Hampton is a delightful and feisty Maid Marion her leading the opening song and dance number of Act 2 was an utter delight.

The show was perfectly pitched for both the children and adults alike. My young companion, Harmony, was thrilled with the audience participation and the jokes and even loved the pantomime so much that she was scared to leave her seat in the interval as she didn’t want to miss anything. Meanwhile the jokes for the adults in the audience went suitably over the children’s heads who were content enough to giggle at Teletubby jokes.

The show is also visually a feast for the eyes. On top of the aforementioned lighting the costumes by Teresa Nalton are magical and in particular the walkdown costumes are a glittering sight to behold and the colourful set adds to the wonder of it all.

New Wimbledon Theatre already has a stellar reputation for their pantomimes and Robin Hood enhances this. Full of fun, flips and festivity Robin Hood is an outstanding evening of family entertainment. If you’re after a pantomime that feels both classic and refreshingly current, just like Robin Hood, this one hits the bullseye.

Robin Hood at New Wimbledon Theatre is running until 4th January. You can find out more on their website here.

If you like this review you might also like my review of Hunger Games on Stage, Stick Man and Back to the Future.