Review – The Valour of Robin Hood

Editor 10/09/2018 Abney Park, Amii Griffith, Anca Vaida, Lil Warren, Live, London, review, Ryan Brannon, Sarah Warren, Stoke Newington, The Valour of Robin Hood, Theatre

Review by Andreea Helen David.

Last night I had one of the loveliest theatrical experiences ever.

Abney Park is Nottingham these days (until 16th of September). As soon as we arrive, this immersive experience begins and guess what, we are completely immersed with the help of the beautiful voice of Gary Cain playing Alan A Dale and a guitar. We are encouraged to sing along and we do (the song has not yet left my head)…the audience is enjoying themselves already.

We are having to walk from scene to scene, deeper and deeper into the park and into this mischievous and poetical play, beautifully retold by Amii Griffith.

The actors are perfect, being so good at interacting with the audience, even with the unpredictable younger members. I think I had a constant smile on my face. Through all the quips and folk songs, we had delightful injections of reality, little unexpected but well received. And what perfect timing…getting caught into the Robin Hood’s predicaments, who in this play is an entity, a code of valour, we walk arm in arm nearly with heroes of the forest.

The direction (Lil Warren) is fantastic, all the characters shine, fantastic female roles, although gender is not typical in this story, I’ll let you discover that for yourself. Some that stood out for me even more, were The Sheriff, played with perfect comedic timing and timbre by Ryan Brannon, the audience loved to hate him. Long Joan, played very boisterously by Anca Vaida and the beautiful voice and ‘Scottishness’ of Will played by Sarah Warren.

The setting is magical, if you don’t know Abney Park go discover it, if you do, you know what I am talking about! Only one thing I would say, the little ones got a bit scared towards the end, being in the leafy dark park, but I am sure that everyone had a great experience.

Great production by 09 Lives, I will sure be going to one of theirs again .

On until 16th of September, Abney Park, Stoke Newington.

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-valour-of-robin-hood-tickets-46877214009