Review: Robin Hood - Fisher Theatre (20.12.2025)

There were plenty of men (and women) in tights as Reduck Producktions' annual pantomime took to the stage at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay, with the arrow-toting folk hero taking centre stage in this festive family treat.

Quinn Richards does a sterling job in the title role, having a slightly dopey charm to get the audience on side, but also cutting a dashing enough figure to be a plausible romantic lead. Eloise Cubbin as Maid Marian is eminently likeable in a fairly traditional principal female role, with her vocals giving her the chance to shine.

Also likeable, although perhaps shouldn't have been, was Ivan Wilkinson as the Sheriff of Nottingham, who revelled in attracting as many boos and hisses as possible. With no obvious Dame character in Robin Hood, Leighton Melville's Little Joan didn't have much material to draw upon and no sidekick in support, but he made the character sparkle nonetheless.

Ellis Rose Rother's impressive circus/tumbling skills came to the fore in the second half to bulk out a fairly scant role as Alan-a-Dale (or Alana Dale), while Gillian Dean lit up the stage as Cher Wood, in the fairy/narrator role, complete with American accent and the odd reference to the legendary singer.

Daniel Cowley as Will Scarlet and the Sheriff's hapless henchman Helmut was the audience favourite, with his performance dripping in a boundless energy and lots of physical comedy too.

The show overall perhaps could've benefited from more of the slapstick humour for the younger members of the audience, as the (often very clever) wordplay gags far outweighed everything else. But it was all hugely fun stuff with the undoubted highlight being the madness that was the Twelve Days of Christmas recital, with its ridiculous number of props and giant balls causing pandemonium on the stage and in the auditorium.

Robin Hood continues at the Fisher Theatre until 31 Dec.