Pantomime Review: Robin Hood at New Wimbledon Theatre

In Sky's Tinsel Town, Kiefer Sutherland plays an out of favor Hollywood veteran who ends up finding himself in a quirky English pantomime. It shouldn't work, but it does. That's the magic of the British panto, a time to fully indulge in the surreal, slapstick magic of double entendres, silly set pieces and ad libbing that goes way off script.

New Wimbledon Theatre, based just a few miles away from the famous tennis courts, is the impressive venue for this festive rendition of Robin Hood. The vibe is definitely more Mel Brooks' Men In Tights, rather than the earnest Kevin Costner tribute, with the comedic element provided by Pete Firman, who plays Will Scarlett.

Firman immediately brings some humor into proceedings with some smart repartee with the audience. He is essentially the host of the evening, trying to bring the crowd into the magic of the show with some illusions, and even gently rebuking the volunteer on stage. That takes skill and certainty in the madness of a panto.

Anyone expecting a tale of Robin Hood taking from the rich to serve the poor has come to the wrong place. Pantomimes are now full of pop culture references, and simply a vehicle for the stars of the day to perform a medley that would not be out of place in a variety show in front of the Royal family. This time, it's dance troupe Diversity, who won a contest on Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent over 15 years ago.

These dancers are serious movers with a collection of backflips, somersaults and searing synchronicity that captivates more than a circus act. Fueled by their three main merry men, Ashley Banjo, who plays Robin, Jordan and Perri, they create an electricity to the moves. There's one number that uses The Old Bamboo to rev up a nicely choreographed longbow routine.

Director Ed Curtis pushes things along at a cracking pace. There's no need to sit tight here. This is a 90-minute show excluding the interval, and it really hangs on the banter between Firman and Diversity's leading men. Learning lines - and then tripping up over them - has never been so much fun. The cast are clearly loving the in-jokes and the fluffed lines, pulling the audience closer to the laugh, rather than alienating them. It's that kind of show. Nothing is awkward, even when it could be.

The show isn't entirely hijacked by the brilliant dance sequences or the cheeky dexterity of Firman. Maid Marian, played by the beaming Lauren Hampton, is excellent. She can hang on to a note and hang with the boys on stage, joining in the laughter when a catching sequence with the Spirit of Sherwood (Amelia Walker) goes wrong.

The high-energy set pieces are always a delight. The dizzying slapstick routines based on a sped-up version of " The 12 Days of Christmas are a delight. This pantomime appeals to the edgy adult comedy without endangering good taste. There's a good gag about the Teletubbies and Tinky-Winky, too.

If anything, the Sheriff of Nottingham, played by panto veteran Steve Arnott, is a role that is underwritten. He is a cardboard baddie rather than carrying the air of menace. Ultimately, this isn't a production that needs the tension of boos. It trades off on some roller coaster tangents that mix and match dance, song, comedy and the good vibes of the ensemble.

The big plus of the Christmas pantomime is that it runs for four weeks, so there are plenty of chances to get into the festive spirit for longer than 12 days. This press night felt like the peak of feel-good entertainment, but this show will carry it off all the way to January 4.