Robin Hood – The Pantaloons at Speke Hall

The man. The myth. The legend. All was finally revealed as The Pantaloons landed at Speke Hall with this original and entertaining take from writer and director Mark Heyward, as we met the outlaw with a penchant for doing good to the accompaniment of silly skits, super songs, and groan as much as you like gags.

Prince John (Cameron Baker-Stewart) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Heyward) have concocted a cunning plan with the assistance of Madame Double Entendre (Paula Gilmour) to lure Robin Hood (Baker-Stewart) and Little John (Heyward) into a trap and defeat them once and for all. But with Maid Marian (Gilmour) on the inside, Friar Tuck (Gilmour) with the intel, and some Merry Men – modest Will Scarlet (Heyward), musical Alan Adale (Baker-Stewart), and misunderstood Much (Gilmour) – on their way, what could possibly go wrong? Or right even…

Whilst the historical setting is late 12^th C, much of what we know stems from a 15^th C ballad ‘A Gest of Robyn Hode’, but as with most storytelling through the ages, the oral tradition adds further embellishment, and that’s before we even get to the more recent Disney and Hollywood interpretations. Heyward has wisely taken one tale as his central thread and with a gentle nod of deference to his cinematic predecessors, has carefully and cleverly crafted this production to play to the strengths of the company and their own more modern band of merry men: a loyal audience.

A cast of three play multiple roles with quick costume changes and some rhyming verse structure to keep the momentum rolling, whilst mixing and mingling with the audience to put them at the heart of the action with some literally breathless routines – one involving galloping horses – and that’s before we get to the high fives, chocolate rolls, and pringles, all of course necessary and relevant to the plot…

There were some distinct nods to other genres with a Q-like Tuck supporting a double-o Hood, whilst the parallel plot involving the Merry Men brought to my mind The Mechanicals in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: intended or otherwise, it worked brilliantly on a number of levels with adults stifling giggles and groans at some of the many inuendo’s, whilst the children – often the best judge of any performance – simply roared with laughter throughout.

Strong performances from all the cast demonstrated their acting prowess and musical skill alongside some quick-witted ad-lib and improvisation as they moved seamlessly between contrasting characters.

Baker-Stewart excelled as the camper, Bond-like villain whilst equally adept as the somewhat nonplussed hero, or one of the more musical merry men.

Gilmour delivered an earnest Marian striving for equality, whilst taking turns as France’s unabashed femme fatale alongside an inspired and inventive Tuck.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man, as with the other regular member of the trio, Sam Gibbons, sadly indisposed, Heyward became the humble hero travelling the length of the country to deliver a script in hand performance. Whilst this can sometimes detract, it actually worked so well here it could have been part of the original script, with a lost place here or there dropping hilariously well into the narrative with a cast and supportive audience in on the joke, none more so than in the rapid action sequences at the close: bravo!

The Pantaloons were established at the University of Kent in 2004 by Hayward, Caitlin Storey and Stephen Purcell. They are a bright and vibrant theatre company whose style draws from a wide variety of popular theatre traditions. There is a strong element of collaboration, both within the group and with their audience, that is clearly evident with an emphasis on physicality and sensitive interaction. Further details and booking information for Robin Hood and their other remaining touring productions – Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream – can be found at www.thepantaloons.co.uk

Reviewer: Mark Davoren

Reviewed: 3rd August 2025

North West End UK Rating: