The Adventures of Robin Hood
"It’s a tale that’s been told a thousand times. Although never quite like this." In this fast-paced, witty reimagining of the classic legend, Oliver Emanuel strips away the massive armies to bring you the heart of Sherwood Forest with just two performers and a whole lot of imagination.
Took my kids to this expecting a standard children’s retelling but was impressed by the creative storytelling approach and the way the show leaned away from a simplistic ‘robin hood the hero’ framing and into more ambiguous questions of who is good/bad, heroic/narcissistic, helpful/harmful. The kids were captivated by impressive stage fighting, a surprisingly charismatic wolf, and adventure. I found the show funny, engaging and thoughtful.
The only drawback was no fault of the performance - the venue is quite stuffy if it’s a hot day had flat seating so view is constrained as you move further back - recommend getting there early to secure good seats if you have kids.
A simply delightful telling of the beloved Robin Hood tale that rekindles the joy you felt the first time you heard a story about the brave heroes beating the odds. The 2-person cast gives a masterclass in high-energy and precise execution, from controlled yet thrilling combat sequences (in a tight space!), to strong choices that bring all our favorite characters to clarity, to surprisingly excellent use of flashlights. This show will have you anxiously awaiting the resolution to a story to which you already know the ending, laughing and reveling in the storytelling all along the way. And you just might leave like I did, with a reinforced belief in the power of community.
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a humorous, audience‑driven take on the classic tale. The plot follows the familiar arc of Robin Hood fighting injustice, with big moments and the usual heroic victories. While the story itself is well known, this production leans heavily into comedy and interaction rather than deep narrative surprises.
The standout performer is Jeff Hoffman, who plays around ten different characters, from female roles to the narrator. He moves between accents and personalities with sharp timing and high energy, never losing clarity even when switching roles quickly. He also immerses himself in the crowd, calls out a few audience members, and delivers lines from the perspective of the crowd in different funny accents. This constant engagement keeps the energy high and makes the experience feel lively and unpredictable. The show also features a lot of stage duels, which add excitement and physical comedy while breaking up the more dialogue‑heavy scenes.
A major show stealer is the use of puppets, especially the wolf belonging to the Sheriff, the main villain. The puppet is bold, expressive, and clearly a crowd favorite, adding a unique visual element that elevates several scenes.
Technically, the production is really good. Lighting, sound, and design choices support the action clearly and help sell the comedic tone. These elements strengthen scenes that might otherwise feel flat.
The main weakness is that the story can feel boring at times. Because the plot is so familiar and not significantly reimagined, the narrative momentum sometimes drags between the big comedic and technical moments.
Overall, The Adventures of Robin Hood works best as a fun, interactive spectacle. It is most enjoyable for viewers who value strong tech, bold character work, constant audience engagement, energetic duels, and memorable puppetry over a tightly driven or original story.
I really enjoyed the stage combat. It felt fresh at the Fringe this year!
It’s got good guys, bad guys, stage combat and puppets. Honestly, what more can one ask for! The reviews say it all, it’s a fantastic show that everyone can enjoy and you really don’t want to miss it! Seriously, do not miss it!
What a fun, swashbuckling romp! A fun, tongue in cheek retelling of a classic tale with excellent stage combat, great acting, and fun music.
GO SEE IT
Absolutely fun! The actors have amazing chemistry and give incredible performances. Kid friendly but just as fun for adults. Great swashbuckling adventure!
Absolutely fabulous!!! Not just for kids, I giggled throughout, and the friendship and fun between these two actors makes it even better. I'd go again, definitely 5 stars!
A delightfully quick witted and fast paced retelling of a beloved childhood story! Both actors are truly skilled storytellers, and handled the comedic and dramatic elements of the story with equal dexterity. The close quarter combat was particularly impressive and well executed! This show is a treat for the kids and the kids at heart.
Family friendly, exciting, captivating, funny, and fresh. Would recommend this for anyone