Panto fans in Hull should set their sights on Social this Christmas for Middle Child’s rock’n’roll take on the legend of Robin Hood.
The award-winning Hull company return to the Humber Street venue from 22-30 December with a story their audience chose in a public vote last year.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thorngumbald sees the hotshot hero hustle the villainous King John in his jubilee year, pursued by the Sheriff of Cottingham.
Marc Graham returns as the loudmouth panto dame, this time playing Sister Skeg, a rebellious nun who’s found her calling sharing the wealth of the rich.
She’s joined by Robin’s apprentice, Marian, who longs to send a shiver down the spine of the gentry with her mastery of the bow and arrow.
Audiences can expect the usual Middle Child shenanigans, including quickfire comedy, a chorus of woodland animals and the chance to make as much noise as you can, all soundtracked by a live house band.
Writer and director, Paul Smith, said: “We look forward to Christmas every year as it gives us so much joy to pack into Social and show our audience how we’ll bring their chosen story to life.
“Seeing children and adults alike sing along and join in the fun makes for a wonderful, shared experience and we’re proud of how our panto has become a tradition for so many people in the city.”
The run of shows includes five late-night performances, which last year sold out in record time, for not-so-grown-ups to leave the kids at home.
There are also five BSL-interpreted shows on 22 and 23 December and the final mischief performance on 30 December, when the cast and crew play pranks on each other on-stage.
Early bird tickets go on sale Monday 1 August via the Middle Child website, starting at £10.50 for children and going up to £16.50 for adults.
Visit www.middlechildtheatre.co.uk/robin-hood for more details and to buy tickets.