Petersfield’s proper panto is back!

The Winton Players’ Robin Hood, directed by Sarah Whitaker, is a wonderful production, and beautifully choreographed and stage managed.

The plot is easy to follow, the action moves at a good pace, the dialogue is snappy, and the repartee funny. The selection of music is not typical pantomime fare.

Tunes, range from Come on over to my Place to We will walk down the Avenue.

The Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Phil Humphries, is wonderfully villainous.

The Dame, played by Joff Lacey, reminds us there is nothing like a dame.

The lead couple, Robin Hood (Tara Taylor) and Maid Marion (Joanne Stephenson) are perfect in their parts. Friar Tuck, played by Roger Wettone, looked amazingly friar-like, and Little John, played by Jack May was a perfect foil for the Dame.

John Whitaker as Lincoln Green and Theo Lacey as Alan a Dale were brilliant as narrators, and ably diverted the audience from scene changes.

The way they pulled an imaginary cord to light the stage was a clever touch.

Finally, the repartee between the Sheriff’s henchmen, Bow and Arrow, played by Paula Currie and Nicola Hiiyer added extra spice to the production.

The scenery was outstanding, as was the lighting, convincingly conveying Sherwood Forest. Equally important, the sound was excellent.

It has been too long since Petersfield had a pantomime, and many will have forgotten how much fun they are.

The enjoyment of the cast makes this a very joyful production, a balm for troubled times. It should not be missed.

Review by Andrew Ryder.

Tickets are just £8 for under 18's and £13 for adults, and there are still a few seats available for Friday, January 20 at 7.30pm; Saturday, January 21 at 1pm, and Saturday, January 21, at 6pm.

They are available from www.wintonplayers.co.uk or in person at One Tree Books or The Town Visitor Centre at the Festival Hall.