Feeling deprived of the great outdoors thanks to Nova Scotia’s current ban on entering the woods? There is no better way to get your nature fix right now than a trip into Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park to take in a performance of Shakespeare by the Sea’s 20th anniversary production of Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy. And the best part? It comes without fear of a $25,000 fine.
The story
Robin of Loxley, soon to earn the name Robin Hood, returns from the Crusades to find Nottingham’s citizens crushed under the tax-heavy rule of Prince John and his enforcer, the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Determined to break their grip, Robin hatches the plan we all know: steal from the rich to give to the poor. But before fulfilling his destiny, he must first contend with Will Scarlet and their gang of thieves. Further complicating matters, Scarlet has eyes for Robin — who, to Prince John’s annoyance, is more interested in Maid Marian.
The players
As Robin Hood, Matt Lacas gives the role a dash of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. Drew Douris-O’Hara, in a gender-bending turn as Prince John, channels Jonathan Groff’s deliciously smug King George III from Hamilton. Zach Colangelo’s Will Scarlet hides tender feelings behind a tough exterior.
Still, the real scene-stealers are Patrick Jeffrey’s gleefully wicked Sheriff of Nottingham and Rachel Lloyd’s Sven, who seems to have wandered in from another play entirely — and is all the better for it.
From Chris George’s hearty Little John to Melanie Leon’s warm Maid Marian, and ensemble members Siya Ajay and Seb Reade, the cast brims with energy. There’s not a weak link, and the joy on stage is infectious.
The setting
Point Pleasant Park makes an ideal Sherwood Forest. And given the current restrictions, there’s something deliciously subversive about enjoying a show in the woods right now.
The Creative
Director Jesse MacLean, one of the show’s original creators, keeps the pace brisk, packing in so much physical comedy and over-the-top action you might miss a gag or two.
Fight Director Dylan Brentwood delivers some of the most convincing stage swordplay in recent memory, while Douris-O’Hara’s choreography hits its marks.
Production designer Brenda Duran keeps the set simple: Prince John’s throne flanked by bulging money bags at centre stage, and two cloth-draped structures standing in as wings.
The Bottomline
With Disney-like melodies from Jeremy Hutton and Kieren Macmillan, gender-bending casting, and sly modern pop culture nods (listen for a wink to Six), Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy will charm audiences of all ages.
It’s likely the most fun you’ll have in the woods this year — and for now, the only legal way in.
Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy, a Shakespeare by the Sea Collective creation with music and lyrics composed by Jeremy Hutton and Kieren Macmillan. Directed by Jesse MacLean. In repertory with Shakespeare’s As You Like It at the Cambridge Battery in Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park until August 30, 2025. Visit shakespearebythesea.ca for tickets and information.