Laugh until you cry – this is certainly the sole aim of Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood – and I have to say I don’t think I have wiped my eyes from crying with laughter so much in a long time.

Not only aimed at children the humor is most certainly adult, referencing politicians and some rather amusing typically South African antics and the plot combines the babes-lost-in-the-forest story with the Robin Hood legend.  The young children, Hansel and Gretel, come to visit their uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham, little suspecting that he is plotting their demise.  But never fear, help is at hand – in the shape of Robin and his Merry Men, plus Maid Marian and the Spirit of the Forest!

Hats off to L.J Urbani as Dame Emmarentia the Ugly, Candida Mosoma as The Millers Son, and Carmen Pretorius as Maid Marian – stellar performances and super voices.

Desmond Dube, as Friar Tuck I think got all the best lines, and Kate Normington was a hoot as Silly Sylviana, the Spirit of the Forest!

Izak Davel played the role of Robin and Idols finalist Bongi Mthombeni features in his fifth Joburg Theatre pantomime as the dandy Will Scarlet.

Writer / director Janice Honeyman collaborates with producer Bernard Jay on their sixteenth Joburg Theatre pantomime together.  Rowan Bakker joins the team this year as musical director; Nicol Sheraton returns as choreographer; the eagerly anticipated, over-the-top, fabulous sets and costumes are once again supplied by Qdos in the UK; the lighting design is by Graham McLusky; sound design by Richard Smith; and Timothy Le Roux is the resident director.  As with many past successful pantomime productions at Joburg Theatre, Claire Pacariz and Simon James serve as associate producers.

Tickets for Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood start from R220, and runs on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre until December 30th.

Tickets are available by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com or calling 0861 670 670, as well as through Webtickets and at Pick ‘n’ Pay stores. For group bookings of 10 or more, contact the theatre directly on 011 877 6853/6815.