maid

Maid Marian and the Merry Men

The Swan Theatre, Worcester

****

 “Boo until you’re blue”, shouted Liz Grand as Sheriff of Nottingham, as the new Maid Marian and the Merry Men pantomime at The Swan Theatre in Worcester, kicked off proceedings.

This fabulously entertaining show written by Chris Jaeger and directed by Ben Humphrey got the audience all of a quiver as Robin Hood, Tom Riddell, needed rescuing from the evil Sheriff.

Robin needed all the help he could get as he had lost his band of men and was just happy playing his guitar and singing badly.

Genevieve Lowe as Maid Marian is less blonde strumpet and more a brown haired Merida, oozing ‘girl power’ and she hits the target and saves the day. With some great singing and dancing to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and It’s Raining Men, this upbeat psychedelic blast to the senses is just the feel good, fun-filled action needed on a rainy Saturday in Worcester, enough to brighten up any day.

Wilf Williams, Sheriff’s nephew Guy of Gisbourne, tries to woo Marian by doing sit ups but struggles to blow his horn and Heidi Gowthorpe as Mystic Mary adds a sparkle and some great tap dancing.

Star of the show by far though has to go to John-Robert Partridge as Dame Ginny whose delightful outfit changes saw strategically placed stars or baubles adding to the charisma emanating from within. When he went on a hunt round the audience for a boyfriend, his banter and wit was hilarious to watch. Well done Steve for putting up with Dame Ginny’s advances.

My six-year-old daughter was in fits of giggles at the ghost scene where we got to shout ‘It’s behind you’ many times and where the baddies chased Robin around the auditorium which delighted all the kids with the highly energetic chase sequence and you can’t beat a good medley now can you.

A well rounded, high energy panto not to be missed - but beware of the neon bunny singing You’re the one that I want!

See Maid Marian at The Swan Theatre until January 6 2019. For tickets call the box office on 01905 611427 or go online www.worcesterlive.co.uk

Emma Trimble

15-12-18 

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