Robin Hood (Thief/Brigand) is the NOLA Project’s newest production. Done in conjunction with the New Orleans Museum of Art, Robin Hood is the latest show staged in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Created by local playwright Andrew Vaught and directed by Beau Bratcher, the show hits most of its mark and provides a wonderful evening of entertainment in a gorgeous setting. Taking from the classic Robin Hood tale, the play starts off with Robin and his merry band robbing two of the king’s men of their gold setting in motion that catalyst of the rest of the story.
With Maid Marion, Little John and Friar Tuck by his side, Robin Hood does what he is known for steal from the rich and give to the poor, although this time things do not turn out so black and white. Our heroes end up at odds with each other and soon find themselves captured with Maid Marion coming to the rescue to save Robin’s life. Vaught’s take on these classic characters add a new dimension on the Robin Hood saga. As Robin displays his own brash arrogance, the audience begins to wonder exactly who is in the right.
James Bartelle and Kaitlyn McQuin did an outstanding job as Robin and Marion, but it is the bad guys show. The three lords portrayed by Price Provenzano, Keith Claverie and Nicholas Stephens as well as Jake Bartush’s Sheriff of Nottingham elicit most of the laughs. Playing King John with zealous and hysterical appeal is Alex Martinez Wallace, owning every scene he is in. His portrayal of the king was very Princess Bride-esque; in fact I felt that a lot of the show mirrored the movie feel so much so I was waiting for one of the characters to say the “Inconceivable” line. Trina Beck also does a fabulous job as Eleanor. Her interchanges with Maid Marion and Robin Hood as she exerts her power over them were perfectly written and delivered with just the right mixture of authority and dark humor.
But the show was not without its faults (although there were very few); some of the scenes were drawn out a little long. I personally felt the whole play could have been shortened by 15 minutes. And being outside, some of the actors need to project at all times, I found a few of them would start their lines loudly then murmur or speak softer as they were exiting the stage area, which caused the audience to miss some of the more comical lines. James Bartelle shined in this, he delivered each line crisp and loudly. Please keep in mind in outdoor theatre we have more noise to contend like birds, passing cars and guys playing Frisbee in the neighboring field.
That being said, the Robin Hood (Thief/Brigand) is a sure fire hit. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy great theatre under the trees. Robin Hood: Thief, Brigand runs through May 24, 2015 starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sundays. Tickets are $20, $14 for NOMA and Backstage Pass members. For more information or tickets, call (504) 658-4100.