19,780 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 18, 2022 6:49:54 GMT
Undeniably a perfect setting for Robin and his merry men to be gallivanting about but is it a musical? A play with songs? Our resident expert TallPaul will no doubt keep us right on this… And “modern reprise” sounds worrying for anyone seeing the words Robin Hood and thinking of the traditional fable. Purchase tix with caution! |
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Post by Jan on Oct 18, 2022 6:55:03 GMT
Undeniably a perfect setting for Robin and his merry men ..... You're assuming the pronouns for Robin. Decoding the cryptic press release ("Like never before") would suggest you might be mistaken. |
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Post by zahidf on Oct 18, 2022 7:21:54 GMT
robin Hood is supposed to be a bit of a romp and not too serious. This version looks like fun potentially
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5,158 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 18, 2022 7:38:20 GMT
I'm pleased my expertise has finally been recognised, BurlyBeaR . Some members have been describing Local Hero down in Chichester as a play with songs. What I do know is that Robin Hood was really from Sheffield. Nottingham stole him. If that wrong isn't righted, it will be an injustice! |
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Post by starlight92 on Oct 18, 2022 8:42:07 GMT
Finally a Robin Hood play that isn't a pantomime! This sounds very interesting although even after reading the summary I'm not too sure what to expect...
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Post by keyspi on Jun 17, 2023 18:18:41 GMT
Opening night tonight, feeling lucky there's no rain despite some initial forecasts.
Really not sure what to expect from this one based on the advertisiment summary, but shall find out soon enough
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Post by keyspi on Jun 17, 2023 23:38:15 GMT
Well, that was certainly an interesting watch.
Definitely not a musical, though it did have a few bits of singing here and there interspersed with some well executed sleights of hand as well as some funny moments. Good use of the two-level stage space throughout.
The story has been, just as advertised, re-written with a number of changes which I shan't be disclosing to avoid spoilers.
Good cast chemistry throughout, but I feel like Ira Mandela Siobhan deserves a special mention for his incredible performance of Sir Gisburne (this play's version of Sir Guy of Gisbourne).
Kudos to all the actors who stuck it out till the end without a drop in quality, despite it begining to rain during the last 25 minutes of the second act and a good portion of the audience leaving early due to this.
Cons:
Certain moments of this play that should have been rather dramatic and build suspense failed to do so...I'd say more due to script writing rather than actor performances.
4+/5
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Post by ladidah on Jun 19, 2023 8:25:34 GMT
So is it a modern show or a traditional robin hood? Can't figure it out
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Post by keyspi on Jun 19, 2023 11:47:46 GMT
So is it a modern show or a traditional robin hood? Can't figure it out A) If by modern you mean whether there are references to current events or technology then no, it is a traditional Robin Hood. B) If by modern you mean whether there are a few genderswapped characters and the plot itself is not true to the original then yes, it is a modern version. |
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Post by ladidah on Jun 19, 2023 12:37:24 GMT
Ah okay, thank you  |
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Post by Dave B on Jun 24, 2023 8:09:15 GMT
Can anyone tell me if there is an interval or if it is 2h20m straight through please and thank you!
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Post by QueerTheatre on Jun 24, 2023 9:25:40 GMT
Can anyone tell me if there is an interval or if it is 2h20m straight through please and thank you! thankfully there is an interval in which to make your escape. really did not enjoy this. |
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Post by keyspi on Jun 24, 2023 19:58:42 GMT
Can anyone tell me if there is an interval or if it is 2h20m straight through please and thank you! It is actually 2h 45mins with the interval included, but yes, there is one. |
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Post by starlight92 on Jul 8, 2023 11:28:00 GMT
So I saw this last night and...wow. That definitely was interesting. I'm really not sure what to think, but overall it wasn't great, but it wasn't *that* bad either, so two stars.
Some thoughts:
- This play was kind of original and cliched at the same time, if that makes any sense. Like, there are definitely lots of original elements, but you still have the basic plot elements you'd find in any Robin Hood, like an archery competition and rescuing someone from hanging. Although to be fair, you would miss those if they were gone.
- There was some singing at kind of random moments, Nandi Bhebhe has a great voice though. There's also some gory moments, obviously very fake-looking but maybe not the best for little kids.
- There were some line flubs, which is a bit surprising when they've been performing for three weeks, but not a big deal obviously, it happens. The guy playing the Sheriff in particular stumbled over some lines - maybe just nerves.
- The climax was absolutely chaotic, I had no idea what was going on. Some rubbish about calling on the spirits of the forest (Your guess is as good as mine)
- Considering how people seemed to be laughing at it (and not always in a good way) I was quite surprised by how enthusiastic the applause was at the end.
- Best performances for me were from the actors playing Marian, Simpkins and Woodnut.
- Most bewildering character and performance was from Guy...I'm not sure if we're meant to take him seriously or not, but he's completely off his nut.
- At some point a few characters sung 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep' which I've never heard before in my life but is apparently a popular song from the 70s. That, and the reference to Michael Praed's Robin Hood, will probably go over the heads of a lot of the audience.
- A minor point, but from my seat (N22 in the upper level) I was blinded by a bright light on the stage half the time! And the sun cracking through the trees for a short period at the start.
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