Robin Hood at Birmingham Hippodrome Review
Gok Wan and Matt Slack in Robin Hood at Birmingham Hippodrome. Photo: Paul Coltas
Written by Roni for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
It’s panto season once more (oh yes it is!), and this year Birmingham Hippodrome’s offering is Robin Hood, featuring a star-studded cast of new and returning faces. Have they managed to hit a bullseye – or has the arrow missed its mark?
As always, the spectacle at the Hippodrome is a real sight to behold right from the initial set as you enter the house. There is colour and sparkle on an incredible scale, and it is lovely to see a production that doesn’t feel like it is cutting corners. From pyrotechnics to giant animatronic props and even a set of tumbling stunt men, there isn’t a dull moment to be found, which clearly delights kids and grownups alike. One of the biggest and best elements of these productions is the costuming, and this year is no exception. Every member of the ensemble is polished and shining, all the way up to the jaw dropping (and presumably difficult to manoeuvre) costumes of the dame Henrietta Hood, and designers Mike Coltman, Ron Briggs and Teresa Nalton have done a wonderful job yet again. With very little discernible plot to speak of (but who sees panto for the plot?!), the visuals are everything one could possibly wish for.
The Hippodrome has also pulled out all the stops with the cast this year, producing an incredible line up of names to wow us with. X Factor’s Matt Cardle is the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, flanked by a team of wolves, delivering just a taste of his beautiful vocals, and unfortunately leaving a lasting impression by splitting his trousers during one of his big numbers! Faye Tozer stars as Maid Marion, looking beautiful as this year’s leading lady and performing a smattering of her best known Steps numbers and moves, while Christopher Biggins guest stars as King Richard in a number of increasingly shocking outfits (Pamela Anderson should be quaking in her swimsuit). Andrew Ryan returns for his 9th year as the Hippodrome’s dame, complimenting the rest of the cast beautifully and tormenting the poor unsuspecting men of the second row once more. However it is of course Matt Slack, in his 12th consecutive Hippodrome panto, who steals the show, accompanied this year by the hilarious Gok Wan, who is back on the Birmingham stage for the first time in 13 years. Slack is an excellent comic by himself and has the audience in near constant stitches, as well as disrupting his fellow cast mates, but he may have met his match in Gok, who gives just as good as he gets. Between the two of them, absolute delicious chaos ensues, including Robin being briefly renamed Kevin, and a mysterious bed complete with a missing trumpet and various sizes of Tinky Winky. This is the double act we never knew we needed, and they carry Slack and Michaels hilarious script brilliantly, demonstrating exactly why Matt has already been signed on for his 13th season here next Christmas.
Overall, this is once again the jewel in Birmingham’s crown this festive season, and it’s not hard to see why. The production values are second to none, no expense has been spared, and it is genuinely funny stuff for all ages. I defy anyone to walk away without a smile on their face and feeling the true spirit and meaning of Christmas – pure joy.
Robin Hood runs at the Birmingham Hippodrome until Sunday 1st February. Find out more and book here.
★★★★★