Monty Python meets Robin Hood in an upcoming production of the classic hero’s tale at Westview Secondary.
Theatre director April Allan described the retelling of the story about the archer who robs from the rich to feed the poor, as a combination between the British comedy troupe Monty Python and the 1993 film “Robin Hood: Men In Tights” written by Evan Chandler, J. David Shapiro, and Mel Brooks.
“The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” by Mary Lynn Dobson will include: Robin Hood and his endless quest to rob the rich to help the needy; a damsel-in-distress obsessed with skin conditions; a scheming sheriff; a gold-hoarding monarch who wants to be a bad guy; spoon-wielding Merry Men; and a couple of good-natured “town’s guys” who manage to make their way into every scene.
Students have been working on the production since the beginning of September – learning their lines, hand-painting the set, sewing together the costumes, and making the props.
It is 100 per cent student driven, said Allan.
In fact, after 15 hours of work into the original set, students agreed it was looking too much like a cartoon, so they pivoted and spent another 40 hours on the current colourful, three dimensional set that includes trees and tree stumps made out of chicken wire, paper mache and tissue paper, and hand-painted backdrops.
They even painted trees at the front of the stage and attached flowers and moss to give the audience a visual of being in the forest, surrounded by trees.
Students also hand-painted the Dungeon of Demise with two doors that spin, which can be seen in the dungeon and in Lady Marian’s bedroom. The backdrop for Sherwood Forest can also be spun around, where the students also painted a throne room.
Lead set designer Holly Burke, a Grade 11 student, said the most challenging part about constructing the set was getting everybody’s ideas together, because they all envisioned something different. However, Burke managed to get consensus and assigned roles.
“And it turned out wonderful,” she said.
There are 53 students involved as cast and crew. Eight students worked on props – even whittling eight spoons out of wood.
“Spoons – not swords,” chuckled Allan.
Two students helped Allan sew the costumes – and a Grade 9 created a series of belts.
Allan noted the most challenging aspect of putting on this this sort of comedy is the timing of the lines.
“Making it humorous and actually getting the timing down is really hard for the students, and for me,” she explained.
Grade 9 student Holly McClain Plays Little John, one of the three Merry Men that help Robin along his journey.
Her character is described as a big oaf with an IQ of six, a role McClain enjoys playing because, she said, she is silly in real life.
Last year McClain played a Munchkin and the Winged Monkey King in the Westview production of “Wizard of Oz”. This year, however, McClain will be on stage a lot more which means she has had to learn how to manage her time efficiently to make sure she is always ready to be on stage and in character.
Senior student leader Sienna Koshlay, Grade 11, who helped out with all aspects of the production, described the show as hilarious. She can’t wait to hear laughter from the audience.
Allan started the Westview Theatre Company four years ago when two students, who are graduating, asked why their school didn’t have a theatre program. That year they put on “Alice In Wonderland” with virtually no money.
To put on “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” students have been fundraising since the beginning of the school year.
“The kids are amazing. They are super, super talented. I love seeing the fact that they actually get to try different things. When they fail, they try something different,” said Allan.
Tickets are $10 for the show, which takes place Thursday, Feb. 26, and Friday, Feb. 27, at the Westview Secondary School theatre, 20905 Wicklund Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are available for pre-purchase at the Westview office, or at the door.