Robin Hood at Opera House Manchester Review
Written by Siobhan for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This Christmas season, the Manchester Opera House gifts the people of Manchester the return of Jason Manford and Ben Nickless in Robin Hood - a Pantomime for all the family.
We meet our characters in Sherwood forest, and are taken into the magic of Panto with brightly coloured backdrops and decorative set design. With lighting that makes you feel like you're inside a Christmas tree - and sparkles and stars that fill the audience with excitement, we instantly feel ready for the wonderful chaos that is to come.
Maid Marion (Sarah Vaughan) begins our story with a musical number that tells us about Robin Hood, Sherwood, and the Sheriff. Although Vaughan's vocals are impressive, her lack of energy pulls focus, and our first impression of her seals her fate as, unfortunately, a character that exists for Robin Hood's plot point and nothing more. This isn't all down to Vaughan's choices as a performer, however, as the writing neglects Marion almost altogether - only briefly mentioning that she ‘always needs to be saved’... a dated idea that women need saving. But do not fear, right at the end of the show, Marion is given something to do for thirty seconds.
The story of Robin Hood is a heroic story, full of family life in the form of Merry Men. In this production, the casting of the Merry Men falls to Willy (Ben Nickless), Robin's best friend who has found himself a camera that points out to the audience - a handy way of searching for their Merry Men, and making every parent petrified they are about to be shown on the big screen. This technique is often used in pantos nowadays, and with a couple of awkward choices of audience members, it is an overall success with the audience erupting in fits of laughter.
The whole play is interactive, and rightly so. The most successful gags are the references to memes like ‘6 7’ where the younger audience stand on their feet screaming the joke back, or the classic water guns and slapstick comedy. Even though these jokes prove to be what the children want to see, the writing focuses more on adult humour.
Catering to the adults watching is a correct move, but I believe it may have been overdone, and family fun was neglected at times for the writer's own indulgences. It is quite rare to see a Panto where the most recent song choice is from 2006 (if you don't include the ‘nothing beats a Jet2 holiday’ clip). Perhaps a more recent hit would allow the kids to sing along just like the adults, and the payoff would be a louder audience who all feel included.
Jason Manford as Hood is, well, Jason Manford…which works perfectly. People pay for a name and they get given one, as well as a 5 minute comedy set from him in the introduction to his character. Cleverly, they play on Manford's lack of characterisation by simply installing segments of him trying to catch his breath after dances - or by having a running gag that he is accidentally called ‘Jason’ instead of ‘Robin’.
Adam Strong is a standout as the Sheriff of Nottingham, with perfect vocalisation and full body commitment to his villainous ways - there's always an excitement in the air when he steps on stage. However, it is Nickless as Will Scarlet (Willy) who steals the show with ease, improvising and elevating comedic scenes all whilst remaining in character and interacting with the audience - it is with no surprise that this is Nickless’ 21st pantomime, and i hope to see him in number 22.
Robin Hood is a great Pantomime despite its flaws, and I can guarantee there is something for all the family to enjoy. I strongly recommend you take a seat and become one of the Merry Men for the evening.
Plays until 4 January 2026
★ ★ ★
