The Birmingham Hippodrome has once again delivered a spectacular Christmas pantomime that sets the bar sky-high for festive entertainment. Robin Hood, running this holiday season, proves to be a feel-good production packed with laughter, glittering star power, and pure theatrical magic.
A Star-Studded Cast Delivers Panto Perfection
At the heart of the show's success is the irrepressible Matt Slack, whose return feels essential to the Birmingham Christmas experience. His impeccable comic timing and masterful ad-libs captivate the audience from his first entrance, charming both children and adults with his effortless, cheeky brilliance.
The stage welcomes pantomime royalty in the form of Christopher Biggins, whose appearance prompted a wave of warm, affectionate applause from the audience. His classic charm evokes nostalgia for those who have watched him dominate the panto scene for decades.
The ensemble cast is uniformly strong. Gok Wan revels in the role of Gok Scarlet, while Faye Tozer brings confidence and likeability to Maid Marion. Matt Cardle throws himself into being a gloriously villainous Sheriff of Nottingham, earning a satisfying chorus of boos.
Spectacle, Song, and Side-Splitting Laughter
The production values are stunning, with bright, bold costumes and scenery that boast a West End-level polish. The Hippodrome stage is used to magnificent effect, featuring large set pieces and flashy moments that maintain high energy throughout the performance.
Musical highlights include a clever panto twist on the song Tragedy performed by Faye Tozer, which brought the house down. Another standout is a brilliantly spooky sequence that cleverly mixes Thriller and Ghostbusters, proving a huge hit with younger audience members and generating genuine belly laughs.
The show expertly balances its humour, offering silly jokes that have children howling with laughter alongside knowing winks for the adults in the crowd. With ample audience participation and a brisk pace, the performance never drags.
A Minor Note in a Festive Triumph
The only slight note of absence noted was for panto favourite Alison, whose unique presence was missed by some regular attendees. However, this does little to dim the overall shine of a truly outstanding production.
In conclusion, Robin Hood at the Birmingham Hippodrome is everything a classic Christmas pantomime should be: loud, joyful, silly, and full of heart. It provides an evening of unadulterated festive fun where everyone leaves the theatre with a smile. For those seeking laughter, sparkle, and top-tier entertainment this holiday season, this production is an undeniable bullseye.
