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The chill in the December air is a reminder that it’s once again time for the Waterworks Players to perform their annual winter panto. This year it’s a rollicking romp through Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. Packed with plenty of slapstick humor for the younger set and double entendres for the adults, Robin Hood is a real crowd pleaser. Backed by a great creative team, Director Don Blaheta and the players deliver a panto that is full of mayhem and good fun.

First off, a quick explanation. Pantomines, also called pantos, are a bit of musical theater. They became popular in England during the 17th century as part of the Christmas season. Across the United Kingdom, the pantomime season runs from November through February. And no, contrary to what many Americans might think when hearing the name, the performance does not involve mimes. But now, here’s more about the show. 

The latest Waterworks Players panto

Robin Hood (Maya Hoffman) is back from the crusades and finds that the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham (James Eggleston) is taxing the citizenry beyond all measure. Have a cough? Well, then, there’s the “congestion tax.” The sheriff’s tax collectors, identical twins Guy of Gisbourne (Gregory Gibbs, Jr.) and Gal of Gisbourne (Sarah Varela), perform their roles as the sheriff’s lackeys with aplomb. Red Riding Hood (Teagan McKinney) is cleverly inserted into the panto as Robin’s younger sister.

The play opens in Sherwood Forest with the lovely Fairy Britannia (Catherine Franssen) in distress over the sheriff’s plan to destroy magical Sherwood Forest. She encourages the crowd to loudly boo and hiss whenever the sheriff appears – and the audience is happy to oblige her. Eggleston, as the sheriff, shows perfect disdain for the boos which encourages greater audience participation.

When the sheriff captures Maid Marion (Elle Franssen) and Nursie Nancy (Jordan Whiley) and take them to the evil witch Evilynn (Leigh Lunsford), Robin and his mates plot a daring rescue and storm the castle. Lunsford, a Waterworks stalwart, delivers another solid performance as she cackles wickedly stirring her bubbling brew in a cauldron or provides aid to the villainous sheriff.

Full of ‘comedic chaos’

The panto is full of singalong songs, comedic chaos, and zany characters. Jordan Whiley, who has been performing with the players for more than 20 years, gives another hysterical performance in his role as Nursie Nancy. Several players offer debut performances, including Josh Jarrett as Will Scarlett and Emily Kane as a kickboxing Friar Tuck. With parts for many young players, it was clear that all the performers loved their roles.

The audience was kept highly entertained and engaged. I happened to sit in a row with a particularly invested five-year-old, Easton Verneir. It was his first time attending a play and he was vigilant in delivering boisterous boos. When the sheriff delivered one of his lines, Verneir was quick to retort “Nope!” Watching the crowd enjoy the play is almost as much fun as what’s happening on stage. But with one-liners that keep zinging from the stage, don’t do too much people watching or you’ll miss out on some very funny lines!

The show takes place on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14, with shows at both 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Waterworks Players theatre is located at 25 SMI Way in Farmville.

Vicky Page wrote this review for the Farmville Herald.