PANTO REVIEW: ROBIN HOOD @ THE CRESSET

There was a mix of ages within my group that headed off to see Robin Hood – with all of us equally as excited to see it.

You know what you’re getting with the Cresset panto and I wouldn’t want it any other way. You know there’s going to be something for everyone – a lot of audience participation, upbeat musical numbers, slapstick humour for the kids and some innuendo for the grown-ups.

This year is no exception!

Making his third Cresset panto appearance in the panto is Mitch Hewer (Skins/Britannia High/Casualty) as our hero in tights, Robin Hood! Not only is the guy ridiculously handsome, but he can sing! Yes, I’m a little jealous.

One of our favourite panto baddies, Lawrence Stubbings returns as the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham and Zach Vanderfelt is back in glorious action as everyone’s favourite Dame with the best wigs, jokes and incredible frocks as Nurse Gertie Glucose.

Let’s not forget the ladies as Isabelle Lock (from the X Factor girlband Mon Amie) plays Pandora the witch and the lovely Laura Wenton is Maid Marian.

For me the stand-out performance was from Nick Cochrane (Andy McDonald in Corrie!) who plays Will Scarlett. Nick may not have been the title character, but he was the glue that held the show together. He filled the gaps with his charismatic ways and had the audience wrapped around his finger in no time.

A very minor criticism would be the choice of songs. Most were from decades ago, meaning that kids wouldn’t recognise the majority of them. Seeing the faces of the younger crowd light up during a song taken from The Greatest Showman gave me a glimpse of how much more energy would have been in the room had there been more songs like it.

That’s not to say the energy was bad. Far from it. The enthusiasm given by each and every performer was contagious. The audience I watched the show with were laughing, clapping their hands and tapping their feet throughout.

Robin Hood is showing now until December 30 – don’t miss it! Book now on 01733 265705 or www.cresset.co.uk.

Rating: 4/5

Mikey Clarke

#TheCresset