This month, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall host a second annual Christmas show, courtesy of their Panto Partners, TaleGate Theatre. This year’s show is hailed as the ‘merriest panto in the land’ - Robin Hood. With a thigh-slapping hero, tax-collecting baddie, and frolics in Sherwood Forest, the story is a natural fit for the world of pantomime, even if it’s not traditional panto fare. 

Returning to tread the boards this year is Danny Mills, as Nurse Little Joan, having secured a place as a Sutton fan favourite, according to the response whenever the grumpy-but-lovable Dame walked on stage. Mills sports a selection of suitably outlandish costumes - a tutu, a dress covered in selfies, and a whole horse, to name a few - and provides a veritable hurricane of puns and bad jokes.

The titular outlaw, Robin, is played by Gareth Lord in ubiquitous green tights, alongside gutsy Maid Marian, Bethany Oliver, in her professional stage debut - both actors have impressive vocal power. As the pair are performing the panto version of an old and well-known love story, it seems only right that they should declare their feelings via an epic love song mega-mix medley, borrowed from Moulin Rouge  - and both voices are definitely up to the task.

The villain of the piece is, of course, the Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Anna Kumble - better known for her 1999 top-five single Mickey, under stage name Lolly. She naturally takes the spotlight for several solo numbers - but will she avoid singing a version of her most famous hit? Oh no she won’t! Kumble is a Sutton local, and is joined by another familiar face of the Midlands - James Bartlett, who has a selection of BBC credits to his name, and plays an energetic Will Scarlett.

The core company is joined by a troupe of local dancers from Sparkles School of Dance, who are led by trained dancers Sophie Atkins and Farrah Palmer, who is also the Dance Captain. The effective choreography by Justine Lee, alongside Bethany Knowles’ lighting design, and a nice selection of scenery and props adds a bit of glitz and glamour to proceedings. 

The show is directed by TaleGate’s James Worthington, who also wrote the script, and plenty of moments had the audience in stitches. Just wait until Nurse Little Joan is captured in the Sherriff’s dungeon to see panto gags pulled in new directions. The triumphant archery competition is great fun - accompanied by Robin singing a ballad that will be familiar to anyone who favours Kevin Costner’s portrayal of the character…

The Town Hall might not boast the most spectacular theatrical resources, but that certainly doesn’t stop Robin Hood from providing audiences with a good giggle and the recommended dose of Christmas Cheer to buoy them up this festive season.

Four Stars

Robin Hood was reviewed on Thursday 12 December by Jessica Clixby at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, where it shows until Tuesday 31 December