If your holiday season needs a boost of laughter, sparkle, and good-natured silliness, New Wimbledon Theatre’s Robin Hood hits the bullseye. This year’s panto is a Christmas cracker bursting with colour, comedy, and cheer, brimming with cheeky humour and eye-popping choreography. It’s like a warm hug of holiday magic and entertainment.
Sherwood has well and truly landed in Wimbledon, bringing with it high-energy dancing, colourful characters, and a whirlwind of gags. This retelling of the classic tale transforms Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men into the stars of a full-throttle dance spectacle. If you’re craving a mix of choreographed chaos and modern flair, this is the show that fires its arrow straight into the heart of family Christmas fun.
Ashley Banjo leads the charge as Robin Hood, and he does so with effortless charm and the kind of movement precision you’d expect from the Diversity frontman. Here, choreography becomes a storytelling language of its own, bold, rhythmic, and engaging. Diversity’s presence isn’t just a bonus; it's the show’s beating pulse. Their flips, footwork, and cheeky humour give Sherwood a fresh spark and elevate the whole production.
Pete Firman is a standout as Will Scarlett, winning laughs with his quick wit and magic tricks. No Wimbledon panto would be complete without the legendary audience banter, and Firman delivers his part with absolute glee, whether you’re lucky (or unlucky!) enough to be called out. Firman, well-versed on both stage and screen, leans effortlessly into his natural charm and impeccable comedic timing.
Steve Arnott gives a delightfully wicked turn as the Sheriff of Nottingham, serving up cartoonish villainy with brilliant facial expressions to match that make him a perfect boo-magnet. A familiar face in pantomime, Arnott handles the craft with real mastery. Balancing the mischief, Lauren Hampton’s Maid Marion is warm, witty, and blessed with beautifully clear vocals, giving the character both strength and sweetness.
As the Spirit of Sherwood, Amelia Walker infuses the production with shimmering, magical energy. She brings the panto’s trademark enchantment to life, leading the audience through the adventure with warmth, poise, and clarity. The ensemble cast, too, deserves praise, their timing, energy, and cohesion keep the show moving at an exhilarating pace.
Visually, this year’s panto is a feast. We move from Nottingham’s lively town square to Marion’s eerily haunted bedchamber (with mischievous ghosts and all!) before racing into the depths of Sherwood Forest and ending in a glowing happily-ever-after. Expect the classic panto staples, slapstick, silly jokes, topical references but also something extra: sleek, high-impact dance sequences that give the production its unique personality.
While kids will adore the spectacle, adults may find even more to love. At times, the show feels like a live episode of Britain’s Got Talent, with several numbers delivering that “golden buzzer” wow factor.
If you’re after a festive pantomime filled with fun, warmth, audience participation, and a sprinkle of theatrical magic, Robin Hood at New Wimbledon Theatre is a clear winner. It doesn’t aim for high drama; instead, it embraces the heart, humour, and rambunctious joy that make panto special. Perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone seeking a jolly night out filled with booming boos, dazzling sets, and sparkling fun.
Tickets: here.
Review: David Simmons Photos: Danny Kann