10th December 2025 | REVIEW | Kristen McDonald
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This year's Oswald's Players pantomime Robin Hood, directed by Maisie Donohue and Ben Mitchell, was a complete delight from start to finish. A completely captivating watch with a witty script - written by Lola Foskett, Maisie James, Maisie Donohue, and Fred Walmsley - which was a clever fusion of popular culture and local references, bundled together with an irrefutable sexual tension between most (if not all) characters in the pantomime. This play had everything to offer to a front-row watcher, including a chocolate coin and an oversized bra.
Image: Oswald's Players Theatre Company
This production had everything, including a non-demi-curious semi-binary relationship of South’s own blonde and green adorned duo.
Clem Charles stole not just coins but hearts too in her performance as a brave yet arrogant Robin Hood, whose heroic actions for the fair treatment of the poor of Nottingham was paired with an immature longing for his lover Marian (Asha Derrick). Marian was another delightful character: pious with an edge of punk rock. Derrick blew audiences away with her magical singing, doing the songwriting of Amelia Awan (music) and Fred Walmsley (lyrics) justice. This really came to a powerful scene at the start of Act 2 ('Timeless'), which saw the two lovers divided on each side of the stage singing to both themselves and each other in their own moments of despair. The comical lyricism of Marian's elegance with Robin’s simplicity again allowed both actors to shine in a moving duet, whilst representing the differences in their class and maturity through the play. Their wedding was a satisfying end to such a turbulent relationship.
But how could I talk of romantic duos without mentioning the overzealous tension between our two leading villains: Prince John (Ben Mitchell) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Sam Garratt)? The reference to a 'Not-in-my-ham' fanfiction surely would have drove any AO3 fanatic mad as this pathetic pair settled to read it together, demonstrating the narcissism in Nottingham's ruling classes. Ben Mitchell’s Prince John reminded me strongly of a certain bumbling politician with the decorum of a spoilt child, craving nothing but approval from his sheriff and mummy; his humbling by the reappearance of King Richard (South JCR President, Fraser Brannigan) was a satisfying end to the Prince’s tantrum. Garratt's serious sheriff stood out as a masterclass of how to play a villain. He was completely unlikeable from start to finish with his permanent sneer and tendency for violence, literally stabbing the poor Chef (Emilia Cynarska) in the back.
Image: Oswald's Players Theatre Company
Of course, a panto would not be a panto without its dame, which Jack Radcliffe delivered as the charming character of Nanny Fanny and her overzealous tit pocket. This character was consistently hilarious from her first to last scene; from her scandalous rendezvous with Terry in the audience, to her and Friar Tuck (Fred Walmsley) performing a saucy rendition of the '12 Days of Christmas'. Comedic timing from Guy of Gisbourne (Liv Morey) and his moustache, and Ilan Miller as Little John, also both deserve praise. The commitment of Miller to his leaps, and of Morey to her characters idiocy, really kept audiences entertained from start to finish.
Special mention to the endurance of the band (directed by Emma Murray and conducted by Alasdair Creswell), who were just as much part of the physical comedy - showered in the remnants of shaving foam whilst setting that medieval feeling of feast and conquest so beautifully.
The spirit of Christmas festivity and tomfoolery was certainly well-performed by all supporting ensemble (Ruby Briggs, Lulu Dodds, Esme Beckett, Olivia Lognon, Beka Hart, Maisie James, Fraser Brannigan, Emilia Cynarska, Isaac Organ, and Abbie Wells), providing the perfectly executed action made possible by Maisie James as movement director. The intentionally crappy accents - which, props to Lulu and Ruby, were not too bad at all; the delightful physical and verbal comedy; and this drunken, silly, but merry bunch made the play so lovable. Everyone in this production should feel so proud. ●
Robin Hood played 7th-8th December 2025 at the Mount Oswald Hub, Durham. Produced by: Oswald's Players Theatre Company (@oswaldsplayers), in association with Durham Student Theatre (@studenttheatre) and South College JCR (@southcollegejcr).
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