The Heart of Robin Hood
David Farr
The Heart of Robin Hood
The notorious Robin Hood and his band of outlaws steal from the rich, creating a fearsome reputation amongst those who dare to travel through the mighty forest of sherwood. But they do not share their spoils with the poor and are unloved by the people, who must also pay unfair taxes to the evil Prince John as he plots to steal his brother's crown. In this time of chaos and fear, it is down to Marion to boldly protect the poor and convince Robin that he must listen to his heart if they are to save the country.
3.7 out of 5 based on 11 reviews
|
Omniscore:
|
| Location |
Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Venue |
RST |
| Director |
Gisli Örn Gardarsson |
| Cast |
Martin Hutson, Rόbert Lučkay, James McArdle, Iris Roberts, Darwin Shaw, Tim Treloar, Michael Walter, Marcello Walton Gareth Aled |
| From |
November 2011 |
| Until |
January 2012 |
| Box Office |
0844 800 1110 |
| |
The notorious Robin Hood and his band of outlaws steal from the rich, creating a fearsome reputation amongst those who dare to travel through the mighty forest of sherwood. But they do not share their spoils with the poor and are unloved by the people, who must also pay unfair taxes to the evil Prince John as he plots to steal his brother's crown. In this time of chaos and fear, it is down to Marion to boldly protect the poor and convince Robin that he must listen to his heart if they are to save the country.
Reviews
The Evening Standard
Fiona Mountford
"Ingenious, sophisticated family entertainment, swash of buckle and full of lovely touches. This Robin Hood deserves to roam far beyond Stratford, ideally to a West End theatre near Matilda."
05/12/2011
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The Stage
Susan Elkin
"If you thought the Robin Hood myth was a rather macho tale then think again. In David Farr’s entertaining version - neither pantomime nor farce nor burlesque nor comedy nor tragedy, but with occasional elements of all of them ... [with] a feisty, brave, convincing Viola-esque cross-dressing Marion who literally punches above her weight and becomes the very engaging central character."
02/12/2011
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The Daily Telegraph
Charles Spencer
"The show is too much fun to quarrel with. It’s fabulously designed, with an enormous oak tree dominating the stage ... Mercifully there are lots of jokes too, some great fight routines and that old but always reliable standby of an onstage pond into which the actors repeatedly plunge."
02/12/2011
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The Times
Libby Purves
"Funny, physically brilliant, but strong meat."
03/12/2011
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The Guardian
Michael Billington
"It's pretty robust stuff for a Christmas show and there are even a number of topical references ... But the politics are soon sacrificed to the idea of Robin's redemption by a determined woman; and, even if Farr's narrative occasionally seems a bit too self-conscious in its nods to the Bard, it finally delivers the goods."
02/12/2011
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The Independent on Sunday
Kate Bassett
"This energetic, English-Icelandic collaboration wears its feminist, green and socialist message lightly. Farr and Gardarsson have nabbed ingredients from here, there and everywhere."
04/12/2011
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The Daily Mail
Quentin Letts
"It’s all perfectly agreeable (except for a tongue plucking scene) and the villainy of Mr Hutson’s John fires our fury. Some pre-teen girls in the audience got the hots for Mr McArdle but the show could use more music and archery. "
01/12/2011
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The Financial Times
Ian Shuttleworth
"This is the kind of Bard-buffs’ fun that tries too hard for it ever to actually feel like fun."
04/12/2011
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The Daily Express
Robert Gore-Langton
"Farr’s script lurches between political correctness and nastiness ... At times it’s unsuitable for little ’uns."
02/12/2011
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The Observer
Susannah Clapp
"No amount of capering can cover up skinny dialogue and a plot which strains too hard to be hip."
04/12/2011
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