Thurs 6 Dec 2012
words: KAREN MCNEIL
★★★★★
South Wales brace yourself, there’s a new hero in town and he’s wearing tights.
I was set the challenge of entertaining three pubescent boys who are far too cool for the traditional Panto fairytales, so we made our way down to the Riverfront Theatre in Newport for this year’s festive Panto, Robin Hood, played by Daniel Llewelyn-Williams and written and directed by Richard Gauntlett.
I have been to many panto productions over the years and I have to say that with my hand on my festive heart, this is the best yet! This production has something for everyone in spades; from dastardly deeds, daring duels and some good all round daftness and fun.
There is so much going on in this production that if you reach for the sweeties, you’ll miss it; there are characters to love, hate, cheer and boo at. There’s a fantastic opportunity for a rapturous sing along to an adapted version of 7 Days Of Christmas that had my three boys in stitches and acting like enchanted children again. The laugh-out-loud moments are plentiful, as are the double entendres, just for the parents.
The cast is made up with a selection of the finest actors and actresses Wales has to offer and the sound of booming, home-grown voices ringing through the auditorium is enough to bring a cheeky lump to your throat.
The dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham (played by Richard Ellis) and his wench of a mother, acted out by Julie Hobbs, were firm favourites of ours, but the heroine, Maid Marian, played by Elin Llwyd, came a close second. There was something extra special about this performance. There were a bucket full of child actors and actresses who were probably up past their bed time, signing their little hearts out for our entertainment which only added to that special Christmas feeling.
I personally promise you that Robin Hood at The Riverfront Theatre, Newport, is a Welsh spectacle to behold and will give you an evening of traditional, yet cool, evening of rip-roaring fun for everyone to enjoy. So much so, we have our second trip, for the same production, already booked!
An evening of festive fun that should not be missed!
Robin Hood, The Riverfront, Newport, until Sat 5 Jan. Tickets: £10-£15. Info: 01633 656757 / www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront