Caviar plunges into Sherwood Forest

If you love silliness and swashbuckling adventure, Caviar Players’ new musical Hoodwinked: A Musical Tale of Robin Hood is a riotous tale that blends Errol Flynn’s dashing Merry Men and with Monty Python’s Spamalot.

A benefit concert for both Caviar and the Morinville Scouting Rovers, it is a one-night performance on Saturday, April 30 at Morinville Parish Hall.

Written by Bryan Leys, John Carlton and Steve Liebman, with music and lyrics by Carlton and Liebman, Hoodwinked first premiered in 1979.

In this two-hour musical filled with foot-stomping numbers and soaring solos, Sherwood Forest is turned upside down. Set in the 12th century, the very liberated Lady Prith (Margie van der Norden) and her lady-in-waiting Dame Grundela (Lisa Olive) have their wealth stolen by the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham (Dave Sutherland).

“They’re tired of waiting for the Crusades to end and they are looking for adventure,” says director Kori-Lynn Hudson. She was in Caviar’s 2010 production of Play On! and has stepped up to the directorial helm with Hoodwinked.

The feminist duo, dressed in tights and tunics, head off to join the boys of Lincoln Green. However, Robin Hood (Landon Hughes), Little John (Brady Hughes), Will (Keith Sutherland) and Allan (David Haas) feel that women have no place in the band of Merry Men.

When Maid Marion (Paige Brenneis) gets captured for the millionth time, the boys mount a harum-scarum expedition to rescue her. But they get caught. And it’s up to Lady Prith and Dame Grundela to save the day.

“I think the main message is that men and women can do the same things.”

As the romp unfolds, the intricate plot revels in Friar Tuck’s (Carol Czarnecki) confessional concession, a strike at the hangman’s local and the decree of a holiday for villains.

In between clashing swords, romance blooms and couples pair off. Robin Hood declares his love to Lady Marion, and Lady Prith meets her match in Little John. “Little John is impressed Lady Prith does things on her own and doesn’t need a man to rescue her.”

Even Friar Tuck and Dame Grundela share their love of food in one of the evening’s stellar songs, A Midnight Snack. “They also find they have a history from when they were younger. Dame Grundela used to be Friar Tuck’s milkmaid.”

Sappy songs in a mix of styles, goofball gags and bad puns make this the perfect vehicle to hiss at the villain and cheer for the hero or heroine. “It’s a great show. It’s funny. It’s light and easy to understand. We have a great crew of actors and they really bring the characters to life.”

For more information visit www.caviarplayers.ca