Jason Manford and Ben Nickless return for a fourth year running at the Manchester Opera House, headlining this year’s pantomime Robin Hood with a familiar mix of slapstick, songs and silliness.
The show sticks closely to the successful formula of recent years. Ben Nickless, celebrating his 21st panto, plays Will Scarlet and steals every scene with physical comedy, spot-on impressions and slick timing. His Elvis and Sean Connery routines drew big laughs from the crowd, especially among parents.
Jason Manford is back in tights as Robin Hood, playing the straight man with charm and joining in on the jokes when it counts. His strong vocals and ease on stage, shaped by years in musical theatre, help lift the big ensemble numbers.
The plot is secondary to the gags, but supporting performances stand out. Adam Strong brings a polished villain as the Sheriff of Nottingham, clearly riffing on Alan Rickman. Landi Oshinowo, as the Spirit of Sherwood, and Sarah Vaughan as Maid Marion both give strong vocal performances and hold their own in the comic routines.
There’s little deviation from panto expectations, and that’s part of the appeal. Audience interaction, water pistols, ghost gags and well-worn routines return with just enough variation to keep things fresh. The “12 Days of Christmas” routine is as chaotic as ever, and the reworked “Flippin’ Gap” sketch still manages to surprise despite its familiarity.
Musical highlights include a rendition of Me Ol’ Bamboo, a few crowd-pleasing Take That numbers, and a tongue-in-cheek version of Something Rotten that hints at Manford’s upcoming stage work. Ensemble dancers bring energy to every scene, and the show’s live band gives the score a professional edge.
The show also makes room for nods to the past year, from political jokes to pop culture moments, including a well-timed Coldplay parody. Children in the audience were especially responsive to a silly hand gesture trend turned into a running joke. A pair of young volunteers even got pulled up on stage for a fart-themed singalong, to widespread amusement.
Panto regulars will recognise the pacing, and the energy and warmth of the cast, particularly between Manford and Nickless, keeps the audience engaged to the end. Their partnership, which began just four years ago, now feels like a staple of the Manchester festive season.
Oh yes! you can also get tickets from ATG's website here https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/robin-hood-pantomime/opera-house-manchester
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