Robin Hood – The Eighties Panto – At The Contact Theatre Manchester Review

Reviewed by H Chan

Everyone should see a pantomime at Christmas, and this performance of Robin Hood, the Eighties Remix by Eight-Freestyle will not disappoint you! It is the usual telling of Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood, but with an 80’s mix tape twist. Humour for young and old, puns from the 80’s and current affairs and definitely something for everyone. I was born in the early 1980’s so grew up with the music and way of life hinted at by the cast. For us, it was the best festive dose of nostalgia, with a story line that keeps you watching and laughs right the way through!

I attended the show this cold Sunday morning, with my husband and three children. We were seated in box 1 , which was floor level so perfect for my daughter’s wheelchair! There was plenty of space for us to sit, move around and for Mr 7 to dance along with the show. Which he absolutely loved doing as the music chosen for the show was fantastic. There was nothing you wouldn’t know or not be able to sing along with. If you can choose your seating and have younger ones, I recommend the box or any of the seats along the edges of the auditorium. They have a bench rather than individual seats which makes it easier for little ones and there is a little wall which stops them from falling onto the row below should they want to get up and dance too.

I will say…Without giving too much away…. Prepare to be Rick Rolled! Apparently this is a very current trend (or so my children tell me) so imagine their faces when we were invited to sing along. Priceless. I think this version of Robin Hood was the best panto I have seen in a very long time, (and with three children, we have seen many).

Michael Higgwe was fantastic as Robin Hood himself. His Merry Men all superb dancers. The dance scenes were so well choreographed and we were full of admiration for the younger dancers especially. So much effort has gone into rehearsals clearly.

I have to say that the two babes stole our hearts and the show! I believe their names are Kirana and Amara, and are part of Cheshire Theatre School. They were adorable and so well rehearsed for such a young age. They blew us away.

Maid Marion, played by Rebecca Crookson, wowed us all with her version of Kate Bush’s Running up that Hill, and of course I can’t leave out Little J played by Courtney Leigh and Friar Tuck who was played by Steven Jackson. They made it look effortless.

The sheriff of Nottingham played by Adam Urey, was my favourite portrayal of the role so far. I loved his rendition of Back in Black and the Labyrinth references! Dressed in a full 80’s rock inspired outfit, complete with outrageous detailing and David Bowie hair! It was like being a child again.

Interaction with the audience was amazing, even though it wasn’t a full house, although it 100% deserved to be, they had no trouble getting everyone going and joining in. Red Redmond and Connor Wyse were excellent as Alan A’Dale and Gilbert the Goth and of course Katie Mitchell playing the Fairy of the Forest deserves a mention too, her singing was beautiful. She didn’t miss a beat with her rhymes, flawless performance. Add the fabulous cast to the sets and scenes, and the two live guitarists and there’s nothing not to love.

My children loved the show. With three children all of different ages, there is usually one that gets a bit daydreamy after half an hour but this kept their attention right the way through. They loved Nursie played by the very talented Jonathan Mayor, with her flamboyant costumes and naughty puns. What I liked in particular is that although there were jokes aimed at grown ups and a few naughty jokes, it wasn’t over the top or crude at all. In panto there is always that fine line and so many these days cross it looking for cheap laughs. This one though was funny enough to make even my husband laugh, and just naughty enough that I didn’t worry at all about the children trying to figure out what was meant!

If I had to mention anything at all (and it isn’t a criticism at all really) it was that on some of the songs the music was a bit louder than the microphones of the singers, which made it harder to hear them singing, but tweak the volumes slightly and it would be perfect.

I couldn’t understand why the theatre wasn’t packed. Maybe because it’s hidden away just a little out of the city, but you know what, I absolutely adored this little theatre. It has been around for over 50 years and deserves to be up there in the top ten venues in Manchester. On the approach my son said it looked just like Wonka’s chocolate factory! Inside welcoming, bright and warm. The café was reasonably priced serving an array of very yummy dishes with a twist, and both hot and cold drinks. The staff were very smiley and nothing was too much trouble.

Of course this pantomime receives a full 5 out of 5 stars. My children would give it 10, and my husband who usually doesn’t say a lot about shows, really enjoyed this one and had lots of positive things to say! Exactly what you want with Yule approaching!

Robin Hood at The Contact Theatre runs until December 31st, with one or two shows a day (depending on the date). You can find tickets here and prices begin at £14, which is more than reasonable for the amount of entertainment given. I’d 100% see it again.

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