Robin Hood Pantomime At The Oxford Playhouse Review

Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn

What a joy it was to enjoy some festive cheer at the Oxford Playhouse with this year’s swashbuckling pantomime Robin Hood, at The Playhouse, Oxford. After last year’s pandemic panto cancellations, this was a very welcome return and audiences of all generations are in for a treat.

The Oxford Playhouse is an independent theatre, situated opposite the Ashmolean Museum, it is a fabulous venue. Although parking in Oxford can be tricky, there are excellent Park and Ride services and the theatre is only a ten minute walk from the train station. The Oxford Playhouse is a relaxed and personal venue and the perfect place for families. We loved the comfortable, multi coloured seats and audiences are guaranteed a good view from anywhere in the auditorium. All the staff were friendly and helpful and we were well looked after from start to finish.

The best pantos take audiences on a feel good journey of escapism and delight, where the good guys always prevail over the evil villains. Joining Robin Hood on his adventures in the cosy Oxford Playhouse ticked all the boxes. Escaping the crippling taxes of the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in the renowned Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood is the ultimate pantomime rebel hero. loved by the good and feared by the bad and always a firm family favourite.

Written and directed by Steve Marmion, Robin Hood has something for everyone and is a winner for family fun. All the cast were outstanding, making the most of every minute and really giving it their all. Huge congratulations also to the inspiringly talented members of The Robin Hood Young Company – they were all fabulous!

The stand out performance of the show for us was Gareth David-Lloyd as the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, who strutted the stage and wound up the audience as he set out his evil plan to capture Maid Marian. David-Lloyd commanded the stage with outstanding vocals and seemed to be having an awful lot of fun playing the baddie!

Dev Joshi was truly on top form as the Sheriff’s sidekick, Betty the Crow with a great voice and superb comic timing. Naomi Alade played a feisty Maid Marian with commitment and likeable Steffan Lloyd-Evans was perfectly cast as everyone’s favourite outlaw. Nigel Collins was a real winner with the audience as Friar Tuck, with plenty of corny jokes and puns and enough slapstick humour to bring the house down!

We loved the modern, energetic song and dance numbers and the audience participation in the second half was great fun for all! With amazing visuals and a vibrant set there was so much to enjoy.

Robin Hood is the ultimate panto…oh yes it is… full of infectious joy and laughter and a must see for all! ‘Sweet Pantomime, welcome back!’

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £15

Robin Hood is at the Oxford Playhouse in Oxford from Saturday 27 November to Sunday 9 January 2022, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/robin-hood-panto or call the box office on 01865 305305

The Oxford Playhouse, 11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW