Reviewed by Sophie Rowley

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nottingham’s favourite outlaw comes to Chester in a brand new production penned by the same hands that brought The Gangs of New York in 2024, Promising a fresh new take on the medieval rogue, writer Kieran Lynn, and director Hannah Noone transport audiences into a world of action and romance with swashbuckling routines and a folklore soundtrack. Hood’s Merry Men form their own merry band to deliver the audience a truly memorable evening.

 

Firstly, a moment must be taken to appreciate the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. Few venues can offer what this unique space does: theatre in the round beneath the open sky. The outdoor setting becomes a character in its own right, allowing the audience to become fully immersed in the story and making every production feel like a truly unique theatrical experience. Outlaws is certainly no exception. Lynn’s construction of the old familiar story is thoroughly enjoyable to watch. He gives the villains a compelling edge, particularly King John (David Ahmad), whose tyrannical rule is enforced by the Sheriff of Nottingham (Lucas Button). The townspeople of Nottingham have lost all hope and are filled with despair. Even Robin Hood, played by Lawrence Hodgson-Mullings, has begun to lose hope. Mullings perfectly captures Hood’s loveable rebellious spirit while never losing sight of the character’s unwavering desire to right social and political wrongs. Joined by his tribe of vigilantes and trusty sidekick Little John (Perry Moore), Hood lives by the famous mantra of “steal from the rich and give to the poor”. Moore brings a paternal warmth to Little John, making it easy to see why the audience instantly warms to him.

 

Hood’s trio of Merry Men steer the plot with comic timing and boundless energy. Rebecca Bainbridge is sensational as Scarlett, Abigail Middleton’s Alana serves as the voice of reason, always ready with wise counsel; and Zoe Lambert’s Much has the audience laughing with every line. Together, they are an absolute delight.

To complete the story, every hero needs a heroine, and in this case that heroine is Maid Marion (Annabelle Aquino), a fellow noblewoman. Aquino and Mullings share a natural chemistry that makes every scene between them a pleasure to watch. I really appreciated the independent quality Aquino brings to Marion. She is neither overpowering nor forceful, which makes her portrayal feel both endearing and authentic. Kate Milner Evans, as Rose, also known as Lady Fitzwater, Marion’s mother, brings a wonderful sense of tradition while conveying a deeply maternal instinct to protect her daughter. As brilliant as the entire cast is, my standout performance has to be David Ahmad’s King John. He is a true scene-stealer, commanding the stage every time he appears and holding the audience in the palm of his hand. Each member of this cast deserves their place on stage and every bit of the acclaim that comes with it.

 

Secondly, the creative team must to be commended for this production. Matt Baker’s compositions and musical direction complement the production perfectly and, if I may be so bold, take the production to the next level. It is productions with musicality as clever as this that make theatre such a joy to watch. The folklore soundtrack instantly caught the audiences attention and kept them hooked until the final scene. Jess Williams’ choreography is well constructed and cleverly drives the plot, as do Kaitlin Howard’s thrilling fight sequences, which are both dynamic and expertly staged. Having the characters double as the production’s orchestra showcases the versatility of the cast while adding another layer of energy and creativity to the storytelling.

 

Ultimately, Outlaws proves itself to be an unforgettable production. Lynn’s characterisation is clearly defined, with each character offering a balanced blend of familiarity and fresh interpretation. The use of folklore-inspired music, live instrumentation, swashbuckling fight sequences and a witty script provide all the ingredients for a medieval masterpiece.

Outlaws: A Robin Hood Story is on at Grosvenor Open Air Theatre until Sunday 23rd August tickets available here.