Robin Hood

Birmingham Hippodrome until 1^st February 2026

**** “hits the comedy target.”

The merry men bring much merriment to the traditional Hippodrome pantomime, which runs all the way until the 1^st of February next year. Direct from the Palladium, the look is lavish, and the production values can rival the west end. Some of the expected panto routines are still there with the welcome addition of one or two new moments.

One expected favourite of course is the appearance of Matt Slack, this year he is the title character complete with green tights and a keen eye with the bow and arrow. Once again, he dominates the stage with enviable ease, whether with his fellow cast mates or with his audience where he excels. Although the one moment with the camera focused on a hapless man in the front stalls was a tad overdone. Slack and Gok Wan as Gok Scarlet combined into a shining duo full of seaside humour and gallons of giggles.

They were ably supported by Andrew Ryan as the dame, another mainstay of the Hippodrome and by Faye Tozer as Marion and Matt Cardle as The Sherriff of Nottingham. All have their moments in the spotlight and remind us of their singing and comedic skills. And then there is the pantomime legend himself…Christopher Biggins, as King Richard. He is a little underused and feels somewhat shoehorned in when he is wheeled on. But again, he grabs his moment with gusto.

There is nothing predictable happening in Sherwood Forest with Matt Slack there with his gang. It is a classic pantomime with traits of a west end musical and if you look carefully there are traces of the Robin Hood story there too.

It hits the bullseye. Don’t miss it.

David Robinson