Robin Hood

Opera House - Manchester

Press Night 09.12.2025

Curtain Up: 19:00

Curtain Down 21:25

X20 min interval

‘5* PANTO FUN FOR SLL THE FAMILY’

‘FESTIVE VIBES - Manford & Nickless are now a great Festive tradition’

‘MERRIMENT THROUGH THE WHOLE OF PANTOLAND - 5***** ROBIN HOOD’

‘MANFORD & NICKLESS understood the brief ‘Bring Festive Merriment & Festive Cheer to all of Manchester’ - & it was mission accomplished’

Tonight Team Manchester Theatrical popped on our Festive attire and went along to Press Night of ROBIN HOOD at Manchester’s Opera House. It was a star studded red carpet with the great and good being cheered (not booed!) as they entered the theatre. It was buzzing - as you would expect with families from all over the north west and coach loads from further afield. An electric atmosphere only added to the kinetic energy on stage which was bejewelled throughout.

Robin Hood is a fun-filled panto that really did bring merriment and festive fun to all who attended. Young, old and everyone in-between had a great time lolling all night long.

Jason Manford in the titular role in some - er - very tight tights returned to the Opera House for his 4th year in a row. He said partnering with his Panto comedy bro - Ben Nickless is the reason he comes back year after year. ‘Spending time with you all & being part of your Christmas festivities is why I keep coming back.’ He still has enough charm and wit to keep the full house on their toes and completely entertained. Nickless who you may recall was in the BGT Final in 2022 - is appearing this year in his 21st Panto. It’s a great double act. Ben is very much the Bobby Ball to Manford’s Tommy Cannon. We’ve said that before - and it’s a BIG compliment.

Chatting with other reviewers/bloggers at the interval we all agreed that this years panto offering is very much back to the heart of Panto. It’s got all the classic Panto moments - good vs evil, ghost routine, water pistol frenzy, 12 days of Christmas and sing-a-long sheet.

Ofcourse we need a strong Evil baddie as the sheriff - step forward ADAM STRONG. The last x2 times we have seen him this year were as Jafar in Disneys Aladdin & in his red & black stockings as Frank n’ FURTER in the Rocky Horror Show. So…. No stranger to tights (!) His singing is - well -er - Strong. We have loved his work for many years and it’s a real treat to have him in this years show. He plays his role with a camp touch of Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen, killer vocals like Frank and a dollop of Jafar for evil measure! Perfect.

LANDI OSHINOWO as Spirit Of Sherwood makes a welcome return to the stage. We saw her in the original cast of Sister Act. Her comedy was in full swing in the 12 days of Christmas song and also shone with her magic wand and vocals to Michael Jackson’s thriller tonight.

Maid Marion - SARAH VAUGHAN returns to the opera house. As a trained opera singer it seems quite fitting. We loved her enthusiasm tonight.

Great dancing from an ensemble that have all the moves to spread festive fun.

Singing In The Rain is playing down the road at The Royal Exchange currently….. but some audience members at this Panto will find themselves slightly more ‘rained on’ thanks to x5 watery gags

It’s a great night out for all the family. Head down to the forest - aka - Manchester Opera House for a real festive treat.

5*****

Next year we are heading to the woods again for panto…. for SNOW WHITE at the Opera House: Sat 5th Dec 2026 - Sun 3rd Jan 2027.

www.atgtickets.com/shows/robin-hood-pantomime/opera-house-manchester/