![](https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RobinHood_GreenwichTheatre-96-jpg.webp)
Show: Robin Hood
Society: Greenwich Theatre (professional)
Venue: Greenwich Theatre. Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES
Credits: By Anthony Spargo
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 15/12/2022
Robin Hood
Photo: Courtesy of Greenwich Theatre.
The last of this year’s pre-Christmas pantomimes (for me anyway) has now passed with last night’s excellent performance of Robin Hood at Greenwich Theatre. Press night was last week which is when I should have originally attended but clashes with other reviews meant that the date needed to be rescheduled. However, sometimes if you do manage to avoid press gatherings you can see and experience more ‘normal’ performances. Last night, I was very happy to see, Greenwich Theatre was completely packed out. It seems that the local community – even on a Thursday evening – has grown accustomed tp visiting and enjoying their local pantomime. I guess the usual inclusion of writer, director and performer, Andrew Pollard, over the past fifteen years has helped no end. His curious disappearance from the scene is definitely a big talking point. Somebody has seemingly fallen out with somebody else and the result is that the ex-Greenwich regular is now writing several other pantos and performing at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole this year. His Twitter page simply states that: “I’m going to take this opportunity to say I’ll no longer be involved with the Greenwich Theatre panto. It’s been a very rewarding 15 year run and I’m very proud of the shows we produced. All the best to the next team.” Ooer! Make your own minds up.
Despite all this Anthony Spargo, another Greenwich regular, has now taken on the mantle of writing this year’s festive romp, and without seeing the other past titles, I can report that it’s good; very funny with plenty of corny jokes thrown in. Spargo is alsp excellent in his role as baddie, The Sherrif of Nottingham. It seems obvious but if the baddie directly addresses the screaming crowd of young watchers with “I hate you!” it does the trick nicely in drawing out the maximum amount, and volume, of boos. Here is a master-class in being evil while oozing vulnerabilty.
Elsewhere, Phil Sealey is unrecognisable as the dame, Little Joan (clever!). In his biog pic and apparently many roles he has: “a beard you could stuff a sofa with” (it’s there, honest). Onstage he is completely clean-shaven… and very funny. MD, (Uncle) Steve Marwick is atill around for his sixteenth panto. His three-piece bend (keyboard, guitar and drums) make a full sound for accompanying many classic tunes such as Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now and Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart. Louise Gielecko thretens to steal the show with her full-of-life portrayal of The Sherrif’s dog, Mutley. Another unrecognisable actor offstage, Gielecki boasts much talant and a fine vocal. Definitely one to watch.
I’m probably at the mentsl age where I appreciate the adult humour but also the potline too. Therefore it’s essential to drive the story which is what David Breeds (Robin Hood) and Amy Bastani (Maid Marian) do, despite the former saying a big ‘hello’ to the audience (in a Midlands accent) whenever he walks onstage. Martin Johnston, as Friar Tuck, also earns his money and place on the stage. Past roles have been varied and his part in this year’s panto requires all hi experience and a strong vocal too.
All in all this was a great panto performance and, after closing early last year, it’s good to see the theatre so full up.