Birmingham Hippodrome and Qdos to present socially distanced pantomime Robin Hood at The Alexandra

Birmingham Hippodrome and Qdos Entertainment have today announced that they will stage an all-new production of Robin Hood at the nearby Alexandra in January 2021.

The pantomime will star Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as The Sheriff of Nottingham, alongside Birmingham favourite Matt Slack as Robin Hood, Richard Cadell as Will Scarlet and his mischievous sidekick, Sooty, plus Black Country matriarch, Doreen Tipton as Mrs Tuck.

Joining them will be hilarious pantomime dame and Hippodrome regular Andrew Ryan and West End musical leading ladies: Landi Oshinowo, Nicola Meehan and Lauren Chia.

The socially distanced, one-act production has been made possible by support from The National Lottery and is temporarily changing venues this year due to Birmingham Hippodrome hosting the Van Gogh Alive experience.

Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, Fiona Allan and Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment Michael Harrison, who has directed the Hippodrome pantomime for the past 10 years, said: “We’re delighted to be working together to make sure that our loyal audiences in Birmingham don’t miss out on the magic of pantomime this year. Presenting Robin Hood at The Alexandra allows us to see two of the city’s key cultural institutions open with social distancing in place. Although on a different stage, this year’s show will be designed and created by the usual Hippodrome panto creative team, and will feature all the comedy and laughter our audiences have come to expect”.

This new production will be packed full of comedy routines, audience-safe participation and all the unmissable magic that Hippodrome audiences know and love from their annual festive pantomime in their temporary theatrical home at The Alexandra for this year only.

Theatre Director at The Alexandra, Lisa Mart added: “Words can’t quite express how thrilled we are to be working with Qdos Entertainment and our friends at Birmingham Hippodrome to bring this much loved annual tradition back to the city this festive season! This cross-venue collaboration is one of many examples of cultural organisations in Birmingham working together to provide audiences with entertainment during what has been a challenging time for the sector. We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery for their support, without which we would not have been able to proceed. The opportunity to bring our team back to the venue to prepare for this special socially-distanced experience is the Christmas present we have all been dreaming of!”

The previously advertised production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears starring Jason Donovan and Matt Slack will be staged back at the Hippodrome in December 2021 and existing bookers have already been contacted with details of their new tickets.

Robin Hood will play from 15-31 January 2021 and tickets will go on sale here to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and ATG Cardholders from Monday 16 November, before going on general on sale from Wednesday 18 November.