Berkshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Grace-Kelly-Miller-and-Harry-Sweetman-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg" alt="Robin Hood and Maid Marian, Corn Exchange Newbury" class="wp-image-85067" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Grace-Kelly-Miller-and-Harry-Sweetman-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Grace-Kelly-Miller-and-Harry-Sweetman-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Grace-Kelly-Miller-and-Harry-Sweetman-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Grace-Kelly-Miller-and-Harry-Sweetman-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Grace-Kelly-Miller-and-Harry-Sweetman-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re searching high and low for a panto that delivers belly laughs, barnstorming performances and more Newbury in-jokes than you can shake a soggy stiletto at, then the Corn Exchange’s <em><em><a href="https://cornexchangenew.com/events/robin-hood-and-maid-marian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood and Maid Marian</a></em></em> hits the bullseye with show-off ease. Thanks to Newbury panto patrons and comedy writing duo Plested Brown and Wilsher, the classic tale gets a brilliantly barmy shake-up.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Abby-Fell-Sophie-McKinnon-Finley-Davies-and-Alex-Crandon-Corn-Exchange-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg" alt="panto in newbury " class="wp-image-85063" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Abby-Fell-Sophie-McKinnon-Finley-Davies-and-Alex-Crandon-Corn-Exchange-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Abby-Fell-Sophie-McKinnon-Finley-Davies-and-Alex-Crandon-Corn-Exchange-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Abby-Fell-Sophie-McKinnon-Finley-Davies-and-Alex-Crandon-Corn-Exchange-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Abby-Fell-Sophie-McKinnon-Finley-Davies-and-Alex-Crandon-Corn-Exchange-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Abby-Fell-Sophie-McKinnon-Finley-Davies-and-Alex-Crandon-Corn-Exchange-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Robin (Harry Sweetman)? He’s not even there at the start. In fact, he’s off winning <em>Race Across the World</em> (naturally), leaving the magnificent Maid Marian (Samara Rawlins) to marshal the Merry Band and point them heroically toward Bowdown Forest. It’s a fabulous gender-flip twist that kicks things off with a whoosh and a wink. And it only starts as it means to go on. </p>



<p>In struts the Sheriff (Alex Crandon) &#8211; hilariously rebranded as &#8216;Donald&#8217;, drawling in a full American accent, promising punitive tariffs and vowing to “Make Newburyshire Great Again.” It’s silly, over-the-top and wickedly on-the-nose, and the crowd (and me) lapped it up. He was the ultimate panto villain. Insert booing here.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Jenny-Perry-and-Grace-Kelly-Miller-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg" alt="Robin Hood and Maid Marian what is the panto at corn exchange newbury" class="wp-image-85074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Jenny-Perry-and-Grace-Kelly-Miller-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Jenny-Perry-and-Grace-Kelly-Miller-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Jenny-Perry-and-Grace-Kelly-Miller-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Jenny-Perry-and-Grace-Kelly-Miller-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Jenny-Perry-and-Grace-Kelly-Miller-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>From there, the local references come at you thick and fast, and each one lands more deliciously than the last. From gags about a stealthy rendezvous at the Kennet Centre to the eternal mystery of Newbury bin collections, from Evri mishaps to sly nods at Rachel Reeves, <em>Traitors</em>, Jet2 Holidays and even Paddington Bear, the writers clearly know these streets like the back of their quivering quivers. You know they&#8217;ve nailed it when the audience laughs, points, nudges, and guffaws in all the right places.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Graham-Mackay-Bruce-and-Ensembe-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg" alt="Robin Hood and Maid Marian, Corn Exchange Newbury panto in newbury " class="wp-image-85069" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Graham-Mackay-Bruce-and-Ensembe-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Graham-Mackay-Bruce-and-Ensembe-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Graham-Mackay-Bruce-and-Ensembe-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Graham-Mackay-Bruce-and-Ensembe-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Graham-Mackay-Bruce-and-Ensembe-Corn-Exchange-Newbury-Robin-Hood-and-Maid-Marian-Credit-Rich-Lakos-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>But the real star? Nursemaid Nellie, the returning Dame played by Graham Mackay-Bruce, who is simply phenomenal. Each entrance is a spectacle: one minute she’s a thatched cottage, the next she’s serving a full Lady Gaga getup. Her comic timing is laser-sharp, her ad-libs are molten gold, and her connection with the audience is like a warm hug. I couldn&#8217;t get enough of her.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Alex-Crandon-Abby-Fell-and-Sophie-McKinnon-Robin-Hoodand-Maid-Marion-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg" alt="robin hood and maid marian show" class="wp-image-85065" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Alex-Crandon-Abby-Fell-and-Sophie-McKinnon-Robin-Hoodand-Maid-Marion-Credit-Rich-Lakos.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Alex-Crandon-Abby-Fell-and-Sophie-McKinnon-Robin-Hoodand-Maid-Marion-Credit-Rich-Lakos-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Alex-Crandon-Abby-Fell-and-Sophie-McKinnon-Robin-Hoodand-Maid-Marion-Credit-Rich-Lakos-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Alex-Crandon-Abby-Fell-and-Sophie-McKinnon-Robin-Hoodand-Maid-Marion-Credit-Rich-Lakos-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/corn-exchange-newbury-Alex-Crandon-Abby-Fell-and-Sophie-McKinnon-Robin-Hoodand-Maid-Marion-Credit-Rich-Lakos-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>As for the choreography &#8211; it&#8217;s fabulous. The ensemble spins, leaps and shimmies through numbers that bounce from the Backstreet Boys and Taylor Swift to Fleetwood Mac. The whole performance literally crackles with energy. </p>



<p>Then, just when Robin returns (finally!) and realises Marian’s been nabbed by Sheriff Donald, the whole show shifts into turbo mode. Cue dramatic rescues, delightfully dreadful puns, even more local Easter eggs, and the kind of gleeful audience participation that reminds you exactly why panto is a national treasure. Honestly, how can you not leave grinning from ear to ear? Impossible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong>&nbsp;Feel-good fun seekers! A cracking cast, riotous writing and a treasure trove of Newburyshire gags make this year’s <em>Robin Hood &amp; Maid Marian</em> an absolute festive treat.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;If you&#8217;re the type that eye rolls at puns and exaggerated silliness it might be best to swerve this one.</p>



<p><strong><em>Grab your tickets to see the <a href="https://cornexchangenew.com/events/robin-hood-and-maid-marian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood and Maid Marian</a> panto at Corn Exchange Newbury here. Prices from £23.75.</em></strong></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-festive">FEELING FESTIVE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/review-mother-goose-and-the-golden-egg-panto-south-hill-park/">Review: Mother Goose and the Golden Egg, South Hill Park</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/review-a-christmas-carol-reading-rep-theatre/">Review: A Christmas Carol, Reading Rep Theatre</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/review-the-comet-panto-norden-farm-maidenhead/">Review: The Comet at Norden Farm in Maidenhead</a></li>
</ul>


Review: Robin Hood and Maid Marian, Corn Exchange Newbury

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