The Merry People of Sherwood Forest

The Adventures of Robin Hood – Adventure Stage

 

Adventure Stage has long been the home of premiere productions for children. The company has always cast exceptionally talented non-Equity actors, gifted artists, who work their behind-the-scenes magic, and directors who understand that this is one theatre that refuses to patronize its young audiences. In this opening of their 15th season, there’s been a shift in the focus from this fine theatre company.

One of the best-known and most beloved of all English folk heroes, the character of Robin Hood has been traced as far back as the 15th century. He’s said to have first appeared in a narrative ballad. The “Rhymes of Robin Hood” told of an outlaw who was an expert archer. He hid out in Sherwood Forest from the Sheriff of Nottingham, and is said to have robbed from the rich to give to the poor. Robin was backed by his band of Merry Men, or Merry People, as we now call them. The tale evolved over the centuries and his coterie came to include a roster of familiar characters: the giant master of the quarter-staff,    Little John; one of Robin’s most faithful band members, Will Scarlet; the bawdy, wine-loving cleric, Friar Tuck; the troubadour who sang of Robin’s many adventures, Alan-a-Dale; and his devoted love interest, the feminist Maid Marian.   

 Oliver Emanuel’s adaptation of this classic tale is less an adventure story and truer to the tradition of the British pantomime. The panto, as it’s often called, is an English family theatrical tradition, usually produced around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. It includes comedy, gags, dancing, songs and slapstick. It’s an entertainment based on a familiar fable or fairy tale and often features some audience participation, topical humor and cross-dressing drag performances. It’s broad, silly and over-the-top, more in the vein of “Benny Hill” and “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”

The opening to Adventure Stage’s 2018-19 season is directed by Adrian Danzig, best known for his work with several Chicago theatres, like the Neo-Futurists, Redmoon Theater and several of the 500 Clown productions. His broad comic skill and burlesque talents seem especially well-suited to this kind of entertainment. The problem is that the 70-minute production too often feels chaotic and confusing. 

The three actors cast in this play, Felipe Carrasco, Gabriel Fries and Carlyle DePriest, are very talented and extremely likable, which helps a great deal. But the problem is that they’re asked to not only to play all the characters, which can be fun; they’re also required to switch roles, sometimes even mid-sentence. It’s often unclear which character an actor is playing at any given time. Younger theatergoers, and even many of the adults, found this element baffling and more of a distraction than a comical addition to the story. While humor has always been a welcome element in every Adventure Stage production, it’s never been used to undermine the characters or the story being told, as it is here.

Adventure Stage has always been a theatre of imagination and integrity. It’s offered family productions that taught an important lesson, brought a classic children’s book to life, introduced a new chapter from history or brought to light an important social and cultural concern. The plays piqued thoughtfulness, inspiring theatergoers to want to go home and read more about the story and to engage in a stimulating post-show discussion, led by the cast and a moderator. Although this new production claims to be about heroes and hope, the script and the play’s direction lacks the magic that’s made this company’s past productions sparkle with artistry, inspiration and intelligence.

Somewhat Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas  

 

Presented October 19-November 24 by Adventure Stage at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-342-4141 or by going to www.adventurestage.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.