Review: Robin Hood at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Dec 4 2010 by David Whetstone, The Journal

A PANTO audience settling itself into a theatre ranks among those unlikely sights, like a jumbo jet taking off or a duvet going into a washing machine.

Seconds before curtain up, hordes of people – big ones, small ones and big ones with tiny ones attached – are stumbling around in a steep, dark place encumbered with sweets, flashing toys, 3D specs, programmes, wellies, scarves and gloves.

You think it’ll never happen but miraculously it does.

The test of a good panto is the extent to which it can unite this disparate rabble with its variously developed humour levels.

Well, the Theatre Royal’s panto team – as Danny Adams acknowledged at the end of Thursday night’s performance – is tried and tested.

Adams and dad Clive Webb are on Theatre Royal panto number six, as is producer Michael Harrison, while dame Chris Hayward is on number four.

That and the fact this year’s panto is another box office record-breaker speaks for itself. They know what we want and they deliver.

Playing to the strengths of its starring double act, this is another panto built on slapstick. Brilliantly colourful, the action teeters permanently on the verge of crisis – encapsulated by the sight of Adams juggling with fire on a unicycle and appearing to grill the top of his dad’s head.

Adams should have a “Don’t try this at home” sign affixed permanently to his costume. He’s a hyper-active blend of visual and vocal gags, at once childlike and knowing. With the trademark giggle come catchphrases – “Acciduuurnt!” – everyone now loves.

Adams is Robin Hood, in very stretchy green tights, Webb is Friar Tuck. Tupele Dorgu is The Sorceress who appears in a flash.

“Where did she come from?” “The knicker factory in Coronation Street,” quips Adams. Now ex-Corrie, she sings nicely and is clearly a good sport. Chris Hayward as Nurse Rita has fab costumes, the best being Brown Owl complete with large and wayward bust.

Steve Arnott is just the sort of Sheriff you’ll want to boo and pretty Lauren Hall was made to be Maid Marian, literally falling for Robin.

There are 3D special effects – a bit too scary for a couple of the tots around me – and there’s a fab Geordie dragon.

So it’s not entirely the Danny and Clive show. But the truth is, nobody would much mind if it were. They are a gilt-edged attraction and we – and the Theatre Royal – are very lucky to have them.

Robin Hood at Newcastle Theatre Royal until January 15