Join Robin at Kenilworth theatre for post-Christmas panto fun

“Buckets-full” of fun are promised by the theatre’s production of the traditional pantomime, Robin Hood, which will take the stage from Tuesday until Saturday January 7.

The show will be the first of the Talisman’s 70th year of productions and so the first to carry the company’s new mission statement for 2012: ‘Come to the Talisman - Be amazed!’

Publicity manager John Francis said: “We’re continuing our tradition of providing excellent, affordable, community and family theatre with this show.

“I’d like to think that anyone coming here will be astonished by the quality and depth of our productions this coming year.”

The production, another pantomime original by director Stephen Duckham, sees Robin (Gill Bowser), Earl of Huntingdon, forced to become an outlaw by the Sheriff of Nottingham (Des McCann) as a result of his constantly relieving the rich of their wealth to help the poor.

The Sheriff loves money and can’t get enough of it, so when he hears that his ward, Maid Marion, (Imogen Parker) has inherited her late father’s estate, he plans to get his hands on it at any cost.

But Robin, together with his trusty band of men, thwarts the Sheriff’s plans at almost every turn. Nell Nightshade, played by Amanda Dodd, the witch of Sherwood Forest, is in league with the Sheriff and they plot to bring about the downfall of Robin. David Pinner plays Dame as Marion’s larger than life Aunt Effie.

John says there are many links with the theatre’s recent production of Cabaret, including much of the chorus, choreographer Wendy McClay, and the director, who promises “sparkling repartee, polished dancing, angelic singing and buckets-full of high-speed panto fun.”

Set designer Wendy Morris has been working night and day to bring a very colourful Sherwood Forest onto the Talisman stage.

Evening performances take place throughout the run at 7.30pm except Sunday January 1 and Tuesday January 3, while matinee performances take place on Tuesday December 27, Saturday December 31, Monday January 2 and Saturday January 7 at 3.30pm.

Tickets cost £8 to £8.50. Call 856548.