Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-Written. is the brand new providing from Regents Park Open Air Theatre. With a e-book by The Grinning Man author Carl Grose and set within the lovely, wooded heartland of Regent’s Park, this Robin Hood is an thrilling reimagined model of the well-known story. Be part of Robin Hood as he pits good towards evil, stealing from the wealthy and giving to the poor in a particular journey positive to entertain.

On this re-written traditional, the story focuses on Woodnut. Left by her mom too quickly, Woodnut and her father stay below the terrifying rule of the sheriff. At some point, when her father can’t afford the ever-increasing taxes, Woodnut takes issues into her personal arms escaping to the forest to go to her moms grave and re-connect with the forest itself. Alongside the best way, she meets her personal band of merry males and encounters the mysterious straight-shooting Hood. Assume the story of Robin Hood? Assume once more. Put together for an exciting new tackle the traditional story, set in a determined, divided kingdom the place solely the actually crafty can outwit the sheriff’s terrifying wrath.

Because the younger Woodnut, Dumile Sibanda offers a pleasant efficiency. Her sturdy presence onstage permits the viewers to simply establish along with her and we’re quickly cheering Woodnut on because the story unfolds. As bad-guy Sheriff Baldwyn, Alex Mugnaioni has loads of enjoyable and Katherine Manners as his side-kick Simpkins is a comic book delight. Ellen Robinson offers a robust efficiency as Marian and actually comes into her personal energy because the night progressed. Because the defiant Betty, Stephanie Marion Fayerman had some beautiful moments because the voice of the riot. Narrating the motion, Nandi Bhebhe’s beautiful vocal made Jenny Moore’s rating soar and Charlotte Beaumont gave a full of life efficiency as Bhebhe’s associate in crime, Little Joan. As our King, Paul Hunter gave a boisterous efficiency. Drugged up for a lot of the story, Hunter’s bodily comedy shone as he made scene-stealing turns each time onstage.

Surrounded by the true forest of Regents Park, Chiara Stephenson’s set design was very efficient. Stephenson used giant rock-filled metallic towers as climbers for the solid, permitting them to cover, bounce and frolic across the stage in a way befitting merry males. Because the night grew late, Zoe Spurr’s lighting design got here into its personal and we have been immediately transported into the story as soon as extra. Good use was product of John Bulleid’s incredible illusions as fingers and heads have been dismembered, magic ensued and the arrows started to fly. Though enjoyable and imaginative, as a complete the present feels muddled and barely unfinished. Not all the weather land because the viewers sees interval costumes mixed with development employee hi-vis or pagan ceremonies coupled with modern music. Carl Groses’ script actually turns the legend of Robin Hood on its head. With narration, operating gags, beheadings, and a chest stuffed with speaking fingers, one has to surprise if it’s all a bit an excessive amount of.

As birds sing and fly across the motion onstage in act one and the lighting is picked up at nightfall and the magic is reborn in act two, Regents Park Open Air Theatre is such a particular deal with. Whereas advisable for ages 10+, Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-Written. is an gratifying night with coronary heart, humour and a brand new tackle the traditional story.

Reviewed by Stuart James