Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal panto season to start as the Legend of Robin Hood rides into town

Robin Hood will ride into Bury St Edmunds tomorrow as the Theatre Royal's panto season starts.

The Legend of Robin Hood – produced by the theatre and directed by its artistic director Owen Calvert-Lyons – opens tomorrow and runs until January 14

The traditional family pantomime tells the story of the impoverished people of Nottingham, whose scheming Sheriff is relentlessly raising taxes.

As the resulting cost-of-living crisis begins to bite, most folk have to quit the city and move out to Sherwood Forest, as Nottingham becomes the preserve of the rich.

Yet fear not, for a hero has emerged. Robin of Loxley steals from the rich and gives to the poor while looking fantastic in tights.

No-nonsense Maid Marion, loud-mouthed Little Joan and puny pauper young Rob join the fight of people power versus ‘the man’.

Returning for his sixth year, Chris Clarkson will be playing the pantomime dame Little Joan – baker and proprietor of ‘Little Joan’s Big Baps’.

Craig Painting returns to the theatre as Sheriff of Nottingham, an evil egomaniac lusting for power and wealth.

Craig made his Theatre Royal pantomime debut last year as wannabe pop star and ugly sister, Mylie Grizzle.

Also returning for his second Theatre Royal pantomime is Samuel Knight as Robin of Loxley, hero of the people and dashing outlaw. Samuel was Prince Roger in last year's Cinderella.

Jessica Dennis joins the team for the first time this year as Maid Marion, no-nonsense noblewomen.

Also new to the theatre, Ewan Grant is Rob The Baker’s Boy, big on heart but short on courage.

Nerine Skinner multi-roles as Mavis The Minstrel and Major Maureen McTavish. As Mavis she is a wandering musician, as Major Maureen McTavish she is the grizzled Celtic killer with a soft spot for pigeons.

Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos is Wilhelmina Scarlett, Maid Marion’s squire, a punk-ish and puck-ish political protester.

In addition to the professional cast, Theatre Royal pantomimes give 16 young people, ranging in age from 10 to 15, the opportunity to be part of the young chorus in a professional production, working alongside experienced actors.

To book tickets, go to www.theatreroyal.org or call 01284 769505.

An exciting new addition for audiences this year will be the chance to find golden tickets hidden in bags of gold coins available to purchase in the Greene Room bar. Prizes include 20 FIFA Xbox and PS5 games, 10 EA Sports goody bags, a Center Parcs day pass and family theatre tickets.

Also available to purchase are souvenir Theatre Royal pantomime baubles and Santa hats.