Robin Hood

Sheringham Little Theatre

Elaborate costumes, slapstick humour and an audience sing-a-long are all features of this year's Sheringham pantomime which is a true homage to traditional family entertainment.

The show successfully combines the classic tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men with the East Anglian yarn Babes in the Wood

Written by West End star Killian Donnelly, it features songs for children, teenagers and adults from the Queen classic I Want to Break Free to Meghan Trainor's recent number 1 hit All About That Bass.

One of the most popular parts of the show, during moments between Robin Hood and Maid Marian, are nods to the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Richard Holt, who plays Robin Hood, looks the part and puts on a strong performance considering his late arrival into the production.

He stepped into play the role last minute after the original Robin, Martin Allanson, had to pull put of the show less than a month before it opened after breaking his toe.

All lead characters sing their songs with confidence and complement each other.

The evil Sheriff of Rottingham is played convincingly by Rafe Young who has a good rapport with his clueless sidekick Snapchap, played by Rik Warren.

The show's cute factor comes in the shape of Joe Oxtoby, Verity Youngs, Callum Crowe and Penny Othon who play the young babes Jack and Jill.

But the most popular character is the brash, flirty and extravagantly-dressed Nurse Polly Tix, played by Russel Hicken, who has been a panto dame favourite at Sheringham for the past five years.

Robin Hood is his final pantomime at the little theatre and the show is a fitting send-off for him.

The show, which includes references to the town's controversial Tesco supermarket and its friendly rivalry with Cromer, provides family-friendly fun and is well worth a watch.

?Robin Hood runs until Saturday January 3 and to book tickets phone the box office on 01263 822347 or visit www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com

Sophie Wyllie