Robin Hood has been an enduring figure for centuries;
through ballads, poems, stories and more recently, a raft of films and
television series. From Errol Flynn to Kevin Costner, from Mel Brooks’ shtick
in Men in Tights to the dour treatment by Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe who
managed to make one of the most famous outlaws in history grim and dull. He is
nothing less than fascinating and perhaps the ultimate anti-authoritarian
symbol.
But who really was Robin Hood and what was the actual reason
he stole from the rich to give to the poor? Thankfully, Ridley and Russell
aren’t involved in this very amusing, Rashomon-style exploration of the myth,
the legend… and the man who made Lincoln green a fashion sensation.
The ‘trial’ is presided over by King Richard (Mike Casas)
newly returned from The Crusades. The ‘stout and lusty’ Robin Hood (Michael
Davies) stoutly and lustily recounts his exploits from the time the King left for
the Holy Lands and includes all the well-known moments as Prince John (Scott
McArdle) runs amok, the Merry Men are assembled in Sherwood Forest, the rich
are relieved of their wealth, and Maid Marian (Harriet Fettis) becomes the object
of Robin’s, um, stoutliness and lustiliness-ness. Yes, this play surely must
hold the record for the use of the words ‘stout’ and ‘lusty’ and variations
thereof!
In this version, Robin paints himself as the just yeoman who
defies the tyrannical John and his henchmen led by The Sheriff of Nottingham (Tom
Dimmick). Robin is ultimately responsible for freeing the King from his
captors, raising the King's ransom by infiltrating Nottingham and winning an archery
contest... and, of course, winning something far more precious - Maid Marian herself.
But wait!
Marian isn’t quite on board with all these details. In
her version of the famous tale, it’s Robin’s infatuation with her beauty that
drives him to acts designed to impress the fair maiden and ultimately win her
hand. A lovelorn Robin mopes around Sherwood Forest until inspiration arrives
in the form of the, not so much merry men, but Marian’s hand maidens in
disguise. The whole redistribution of wealth thing was simply a ploy you see…
in the name of love. Cue Bryan Adams lyrics.
Not so fast!
As the King himself notes, The Sheriff of Nottingham hasn’t
come off too well in the previous versions. He sets the record straight in the final telling of the story. When the King sets off for Jerusalem, Prince John is
left in charge and immediately raises taxes and prohibits the killing of the
King’s Deer (Claire Tebbutt). According to The Sheriff, Robin is a simpleton
who shoots the deer (to the lawman’s howls of anguish) and becomes an unwitting
part of a ploy to nobly free the King. Such an environmentally conscious and
loyal man this Sheriff is!
Ultimately the King addresses the audience and the true
version is decided by their applause. At today’s matinee it seems the last few
centuries of storytellers owe The Sheriff of Nottingham a huge apology, Robin
Hood you dumb schmuck.
It’s all great fun with women disguised as men; Robin at one
stage hilariously disguised as a woman called, well, Robin; kung fu fighting
nuns; lustily fought battles with bamboo sticks; plenty of wordplay and puns;
modern day musical cues and attitude and, generally, crazy antics all round.
Michael Davies is excellent as Robin playing three very
distinct roles – the hero, the lovelorn sap, and the simpleton. He is a real
crowd pleaser and received enthusiastic applause at closing bows for his
engaging portrayal. Scott McArdle gives a wonderfully scenery chewing
performance as the over-the-top Prince John while Harriet Fettis is a
delightfully commanding and feisty object of desire not only for Robin but also
Guy of Gisbourne (Hock Edwards who gives a funny, gangster style flourish to
the rival suitor). Tom Dimmick quietly excels as The Sheriff and his
Pacino-style-Godfather Part 3 howl of anguish over the deer’s death was a highlight.
The supporting cast all give amusing performances with all kinds of inspired
against-type casting such as Shannon Rogers as Friar Tuck and Chelsea Kunkler
as, yes, ‘Willa’ Scarlet. Tebbutt’s deer was funny in each strand even though
her demise is assured every time and Phillip Hutton has his moments as the
Herald and human archery target.
Director Rachel Doulton and her crew have put together a fun
show with colourful costuming and energetic staging with simple use of
backdrops and lighting to create the world of Sherwood Forest and Nottingham.
It is funny throughout and the conceit of having three separate points of view
adds freshness to the well-known story.
It was great to see such a good crowd at the Saturday
matinee with many children in attendance. There was a lovely moment after the
show when an excited young boy rushed up to Scott McArdle who was still in his
Prince John costume. That the boy’s sister scooted straight past Scott to greet
Harriet Fettis in her stylish gown was even more delightful!
Written by Will Averill, Directed by Rachel Doulton and
starring Michael Davies, Harriet Fettis, Mike Casas, Tom Dimmick, Scott
McArdle, Hock Edwards, Jack Connolly, Kyle Blair, Ryan Partridge, Tym Sanders,
Launcelot Ronzan, Chelsea Kunkler, Tarryn McGrath, Tijana Simich, Shannen
Precious, Phillip Hutton, Claire Tebbutt, Jess Serio, Meagan Dux, Bob Morshidi,
Shannon Rogers, Jenia Gladziejewski & Karen Hansord, there is only one more
show left at Murdoch University’s Nexus Theatre, Sunday 20 July at 1pm.
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