Review: Robin Hood (New Wimbledon Theatre)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wimbledon's pantomime has long been one of my favourite Christmas traditions. For over a decade, I’ve made the annual trip to the stunning New Wimbledon Theatre with my mum, and it never fails to deliver festive magic. This year’s production is Robin Hood, a show that promised plenty of excitement, and with a cast led by dance troupe Diversity, my expectations were high.

The story of Robin Hood is well-known: an outlaw in medieval England who steals from the rich to give to the poor, with the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham as his nemesis. But let’s be honest, nobody goes to a panto for the plot, and this year’s production knows that, with the narrative taking a backseat. Instead, what we get is a spectacular variety show that feels absolutely right when you consider the headliners, who famously won TV variety show Britain’s Got Talent.

The dance troupe take centre stage here, and they don’t disappoint. Ashley Banjo leads the charge as Robin Hood, supported by Perri Kiely, Jordan Banjo, and the rest of the group, and together they bring their trademark jaw-dropping choreography to the heart of the show. The dancing becomes much of the storytelling, and the stunts and slick moves are worth the ticket price alone. From gravity-defying flips to perfectly synchronised routines, you can see why they have had continued success as a dance act.

But Diversity aren’t just here to dance – they lean fully into the chaotic fun of pantomime, proving they’re as funny as they are rhythmically talented. Ashley, Perri, and Jordan deliver some of the night’s biggest laughs, with highlights including a brilliantly silly “jobs” song and a dance-off with Pete Firman that had the audience in stitches. There’s plenty of cheeky innuendo too, the kind that flies right over the kids’ heads but keeps the grown-ups giggling. Speaking of Firman, Wimbledon’s resident magician proves once again why he’s become a beloved staple of the annual panto. He is a favourite as Will Scarlett., and his mix of quick-witted humour, warm rapport and baffling magic tricks hits the mark every time. A moment involving children invited onstage produced exactly the kind of unpredictable chaos you hope for in a pantomime, and Firman handled it with absolute finesse.

Lauren Hampton shines as Maid Marion, bringing warmth and lovely vocals to the role while keeping pace with Diversity in some high-energy dance numbers. A standout moment was a playful rendition of The Old Bamboo using longbows. Amelia Walker, as the Spirit of Sherwood, adds grace and guides us through what little narrative there is, her soaring vocals adding a touch of magic. Steve Arnott, a pantomime stalwart, having starred in many pantomimes throughout his career, is the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham. He is a playful villain, and encourage boos from the audience. However there did seem fewer opportunities for audience interaction within the show this year, and I definitely missed the chance to shout, ‘he’s behind you!’.

Visually, this production is everything a Wimbledon panto should be: bold, bright and bursting with spectacle. While the theatre’s traditional flying vehicles are absent this year, there’s still plenty to provoke wide-eyed awe. Teresa Nalton’s costumes are vibrant, detailed and fabulously colourful, exactly the kind of festive feast audiences expect. The set pieces are lavish and lively, turning Sherwood Forest into a playground of magic, mischief and movement. The set pieces also form part of the storytelling, a broken door and knob providing one of the funniest scenes of the show.

This year’s Wimbledon pantomime is another triumph: a dazzling mix of magic tricks, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning vocals, and jaw-dropping dance spectacles. It’s the perfect introduction to theatre for young children, but just as ideal for families returning year after year, as I do. It’s funny, it’s magical, and it’s exactly the kind of festive celebration that makes pantomime a Christmas tradition worth keeping.

Robin Hood plays at New Wimbledon Theatre until Sunday 4^th January 2026, tickets and more information can be found here - Robin Hood (Pantomime) Tickets | New Wimbledon Theatre in Wimbledon | ATG Tickets

Photos by Danny Kaan