On Stage: Robin Hood

Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s 60-minute family musicals have over the years proved extremely popular with young fans and their parents.

The ingredients that make these shows so popular are again evident in the company’s latest offering, Robin Hood, playing in Malvern’s Central Gardens.

For youngsters there are plenty of songs, slapstick moments, appealing puppets and audience participation.

For older generations there are numerous modern-day references with jokes relating to slow Internet, lukewarm coffees and EFPTOS payments receiving some of the biggest laughs.

Written by award winning writer Jennifer Sarah Dean with music and lyrics by Maxwell Simon, this year’s production offers an Australian twist to the classic tale of Robin Hood.

As with past shows including The Wacky Wombat, Outback Adventures and Adventures in Neverland, there are plenty of goodies to cheer for and a baddy to boo.

Leading the goodies is Robin Hood (Billy Thomas) who, although not that bright and rather vain, has his heart in the right place. He and his merry band, Little Joan (Lucy May Knight) and Dame Tuck (Jackson Cross), have discovered the joys of sharing wealth between the citizens of Sherwood Forest.

However, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Kaia Reyes) is not happy with their actions and on capturing the three banishes them to Australia where the equally dastardly Governor Grabbit (also played by Reyes) rules the roost.

Their adventures in Australia bring them in contact with Bruce the Bushranger (Daniel Hillman) and some of the country’s interesting wildlife together with a sheep.

As with all these productions there are underlying messages – in this case the importance of sharing, working together and the dangers of littering.

With the exceptions of Thomas, Knight and Cross, cast members perform several roles and despite these demands and the very hot weather during our performance, the enthusiasm of all never waned.

All had the chance to demonstrate their singing and acting abilities and pantomime skills and dealt with the challenges of performing in front of a live young audience without missing a beat.

It’s Melbourne Shakespeare’s Company’s ability to stage fun shows with an enthusiastic and talented cast at a length suitable for all family members which is likely to ensure many more of these types of shows in the years to come.

Performances of Robin Hood are scheduled at 9.30 and 11.30am on Sunday March 9, Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16. For more information and tickets visit the Melbourne Shakespeare Company website.

*Photo credit: Sare Clarke Photography.

Jenny Burns attended a performance of Robin Hood as a guest of the production company.