Robin Hood The Truth Behind the Green Tights

Congratulations to Roleystone Theatre for managing to get Robin Hood The Truth Behind the Green Tights to the stage. Just a couple of weeks before Opening Night, Roleystone’s heritage theatre was declared unsafe. The ‘Green Tights’ team managed to find a temporary venue, adjust the sets, notify all the ticket holders and reconvene – playing to capacity houses.

The script, written by Coronation Street actor David Nielson, would be a challenge – even in the hands of a very experienced director, let alone a rookie, and both directors are in the ‘big chair’ for the first time. Marketed as a Dramatic Comedy (I checked because I was confused), much of the time it sits much closer to pantomime, with a Christmas setting, songs, audience participation and contemporary jokes that were up-to-the-minute in the Thatcher Era. The dialogue, though, is too wordy for family audiences and it flips between campiness and integrity, leaving the show in a genre wasteland.

The set, designed by the directors and Gary Wetherilt was lovely, with some gorgeous attention to detail - the wagon and the fireplace particularly admirable. Gary Wetherilt’s lighting was excellent and Brooke Rowcroft created excellent costumes. The transitions between the 22 scenes (and some interludes) weren’t always seamless, despite a hardworking crew – although this is probably a consequence of designing and blocking for a very differently configured theatre.

Some very talented performers delivered some impressive performances. Central character Albert was played very well by Liam Crevola, who played with energy and enthusiasm throughout. He was very miscast – the character is supposed to be tiny and Liam is not, and this is a recurring distraction. Steph Hickey is outstanding as Wife (who apparently doesn’t deserve another name – being chattel) and an audience favourite.

Tennessee Buti makes his first community theatre performance as an adult, as a quintessential pantomime Robin Hood. Handsome, swaggering and performing with tongue in cheek, he is one to watch. Georgia Craig makes a promising community theatre debut, making the most of an under-written Maid Marion in a sweet performance. Nikitta Poplar, playing the Tree and variety of smaller roles, was another stand-out and has a notable stage presence.

Lots of hard work from the remaining cast with solid community theatre debuts from Michele Gould and Kofi Chow. There was a lot of playing cross-gender and outside type, which can be very challenging. The dedication and hard slog was clear.

Well done to Roleystone Theatre for managing to get the show to the stage under far less than ideal circumstances. Sending the best of luck for getting back into the theatre before Annie in late April.

Kimberley Shaw