In January 2019, Wexford Pantomime Society staged Robin Hood, bringing audiences on a lively adventure through Sherwood Forest. From the very beginning, the audience was welcomed by two new friends—Barny the Bear and Blossom the Fairy — who served as guides and comic companions throughout the show.

The tale opened in Nottingham, where Good King Richard had departed on a crusade, leaving the throne in the hands of Prince John. Childish and easily led, Prince John quickly fell under the sway of his greedy mother Mumsie and the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham. Together they imposed cruel taxes and ridiculous rules on the people, leaving the villagers in need of a hero.

That hero was none other than Robin Hood, joined by his Merry Men: Little John, Will Scarlet, Alan of Ferndale, as well as Friar Tuck. Together they robbed from the rich and helped the poor, all while Robin longed for his true love, Maid Marian, who lived in the palace with Prince John. With her loyal handmaiden, the feisty Maid Mavis, Marian added both heart and humour to the story.

The Sheriff, humiliated by Robin and his outlaws, plotted revenge with Mumsie, secretly his partner in more ways than one. They enlisted Sir Guy of Gisborne to lure Robin into a duelling contest, a trap that led to Robin’s capture and Sir Guy’s supposed “victory” in winning Maid Marian’s hand.

It fell to the Merry Men and their allies to mount a daring rescue, crashing the royal birthday party—part wedding, part execution—to save Robin and Marian from disaster.

Filled with sword fights, song-and-dance numbers, terrible jokes, and plenty of local Wexford humour, Robin Hood delighted audiences of all ages. The 2019 production proved a rollicking success and a cherished chapter in the Society’s history.

Photography by Paula Malone Carty