PANTOMIME REVIEW: Robin Hood: The '80's Panto - The Contact Theatre, Manchester

I have had the pleasure of seeing and reviewing Eight Freestyle's pantomimes these last few years, and watched them transfer from the beautiful art deco splendour that The Dancehouse Theatre used to offer, to the more capacious and modern Contact Theatre further down Oxford Road. 

They have always been enjoyable, traditional, fun, and have always managed to excite and entertain. This year they have tried something a little different, and I am unhappy to report that the ideas fell somewhat flat. 

Robin Hood is a difficult one to pull off as a pantomime in any case, since there is no character in the actual story who could easily be the Dame, but to then make it even more difficult for themselves by making the story about two tiny 'babes' who are next in line to the throne, and with King Richard thought to be dead (away on the crusades), the Sheriff of Nottingham (now the evil baddie we need to boo) wants them dead at all costs in order that he might become the King (how this would be possible it was never made clear). 

We therefore have a story which is almost nigh impossible to either follow or believe, and one which I am certain the target audience is not likely to fully grasp. A very lengthy exposition of the history and storyline is therefore given - in rhyme - at the start of the show by the fairy, but since we just want to get on with the booing, cheering and general fun that panto normally creates, we don't really pay too much attention to this.

The third thing which made it more difficult and less accessible was the company's decision to set the show in the 1980s with 1980's costuming, music, but above all references and jokes. None of the target audience were born in the 20th century let alone the 1980s, and so, the computer graphics, cassette recorders, mullet hairstyles, computer games, and ALL the jokes and references to the pop music, culture, TV stars and shows, etc from that decade were all completely lost on their target audience. 

This therefore was not a traditional pantomime as we know it, Jim. In fact the cast seemed to be performing the show more for themselves than for the audience this Sunday morning. Perhaps it was because it was an early Sunday morning show, perhaps it was because it was only their second performance, perhaps it was because the auditorium was less than one fifth full, with not very many children, but whatever the reason, the performance was somewhat flat and pedestrian this afternoon, and scant effort was made on the part of the cast to engage their target audience at all.

And as for the traditional set routines and responses that one expects from the genre, they too were in short supply. I counted only two 'Oh yes he is' chants, and only a couple of the standard routines which were poorly executed and garnered little or no laughter. 

Technically the panto left much to be desired too. The mic' levels were simply far too high. Ear-piercingly so. I was forced to wear ear plugs throughout, and even then some of the music was too loud. I have absolutely no idea why the sound engineers of today want to deafen everyone, but trust me, loudness does not mean betterness. If we are unable to listen to the dialogue without it distorting, or can't enjoy the song without covering our ears, then there is a problem! The lighting was poor too sadly; there were many occasions when the principals were acting in semi or total darkness, spotlights didn't work, and when the cast were acting in front of the tabs, the lighting was casting enormous shadows onto the tab which looked very strange indeed. 

For this reviewer, there were only two saving graces of this afternoon's show; the first was the dancing. The company had joined forces with four principal dancers and a whole team of youngsters from I can only assume, a local dancing school. The choreography was apt, and well executed from them all, with nice costuming, and good use of the whole stage. The dances were frequent and entertaining, and the dancers more than capable of the job in hand. Full marks. Whilst the second thing in the company's favour was to use two very small and young children as the two 'babes'. who acted their little socks off this afternoon. The highlight of the whole show was their rendition of 'Stand By Me'. 

As much as it pains me to write all the above, since I have enjoyed and looked forward to Eight Feestyles pantomimes every year until now, this year's, in this reviewer's opinion, needs serious reconsideration.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 11.12.22