Commedia and Comedy in Ophaboom's Robin Hood

Riverside Studios, November 26^th — December 14^th

Ophaboom, Britain’s only dedicated commedia dell’arte company, are bringing their raucous, swashbuckling production of the classic ROBIN HOOD to Riverside Studios this autumn. Combining masks, lyrical music, knockabout physical comedy and ever-changing topical references, Ophaboom’s unique performance style wittily updates this classic story.

The script and characterisations were devised through improvisation, and have resulted in a completely fresh take on some familiar characters: Robin himself may be a hero and eco-warrior, but displays a streak of vanity that helps the feisty Maid Marian twist him round her little finger. The Sheriff is undoubtedly a villain that audiences love to hate, but suffers the flaws of a more famous tragic figure, with his Macbeth-like reliance on prophesies and spirits. Throughout, ROBIN HOOD is enlivened with some exquisite medieval music and singing, which - combined with details such as Friar Tuck’s pig-like half mask and a charming puppet-sized bouncy Nottingham castle - make a show with equal parts silliness and skill.

True to commedia’s roots, Ophaboom have laced the comedy with contemporary political satire, taking a strong environmental message as a starting point, making them the Mark Thomas of modern theatre.

Already a huge hit on the national and international touring circuit, Ophaboom at last are giving London audiences a chance to see true commedia at work, providing funny, fast and fruity entertainment for adults and older children. Ophaboom will also be running a residential education project, Commedia Unmasked, with 16-18 year old performing arts students in Hammersmith, resulting in showcase performances at Riverside Studios.

(The Scotsman on The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

"Ophaboom seduced the audience with their inimitable style, fusing physical humour with the magical madness of commedia dell'arte"
(Vendee Matin, France, on Robin Hood at Les Ricochets Festival, 2002)

Bright Choice and Riverside Studios present
OPHABOOM'S ROBIN HOOD
Performed by Geoff Beale, Howard Gayton, Claire Jones and Sarah Ratheram
Directed by Howard Gayton
Designed by Catherine Lindow
Masks by Ninnian Kinnear-Wilson
Costumes by Jennifer Gayton
Studio 3, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road Hammersmith W6 9RL
26th November - 14th December, Monday - Saturday, 8pm.
Matinees: 2.30pm on 7^th & 14^th December.
Press night: Thursday 28th November, 8pm
Commedia Unmasked Showcase performances: Wednesday 27^th and Friday 29^th Nov, 6.30pm (free to Robin Hood ticket holders).

Tickets: £12 (£8 concs) £30 family (2 adults, 2 under 16s)
‘Steal from the Rich’ Night: Proceeds from tickets on Saturday 30th November will be donated to World AIDS Day.
Box Office: 020 8237 1111

OPHABOOM was founded in 1991 by Geoff Beale and Howard Gayton and began as street theatre performers and are now the only UK group dedicated to commedia dell’arte. Previous productions are Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, Alchemy, The Miller’s Tale, Faustus and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In addition to extensive touring through the Rural Touring Network in the UK, they are the only British company to have been invited to perform at the Venice Carnival (five times), as well as performing in Belgium, France (at eight different open-air festivals over seven years), Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark, Korea, Canada and the USA (where they have taken part in an international commedia symposium). Robin Hood was developed and toured
with Arts Council funding through the National Touring Programme. They are now an ensemble of four and, between them have backgrounds in such varied disciplines as classical music, puppetry, Tai Chi, physical theatre and mime and have worked with Theatre de Complicite and Philippe Gaulier.

More info on www.ophaboom.com

"Impossible to resist the talent that raged through this company’s show. You don’t come across classics like this every day" (France Soir on Faustus)

"a riotous assembly of comic acting" (The List on Faustus)

James Seabright (Bright Choice) was the recent recipient of the Theatre Investment Fund’s New Producers Bursary. Recent/current productions include A Tale of Two Cities (Edinburgh 2001 and tour), Swimming in the Shallows and The Insect Play What I Wrote at the Edinburgh Fringe 2002 and the upcoming residency at the Courtyard Theatre, Islington.

on 020 7833 2627, 07803 248230 or alex@gammie.demon.co.uk