Robin Hood at Queen Elizabeth Park by @thezoocrew

Last year, I went to the first show I had seen promenade style in Vancouver, The Road to Canterbury (also staged at the Queen Elizabeth Park), and I had a fabulous time. This year, Itsazoo Productions invited me to witness their summer project, Robin Hood (and they even sponsored tickets for a lucky reader).

Last night, I went with my friends Nathan Tippe, Jay Catalan and Minna Van to see Robin Hood. Because I had already seen a previous Itsazoo Productions performance in promenade (vagrant, walking around) style, I knew what to expect (but I totally forgot to bring a blanket to sit on the grass – that said, I did bring a water bottle, a sweater in case it got cold and a few snacks). We bumped into other friends from the online community, including Rebecca Bollwitt (Miss604) and her childhood friend Tanya, Mark and David from GayVancouver.Net. It was good times.

On to the play itself. I have always had the belief that whenever a classic is reinvented, it is always a challenge for the playwright (Sebastien Archibald, who also forms part of the ensemble, and whose adaptation I really enjoyed), and for the director (Chelsea Haberlin, whose work I also respect profoundly) to keep themselves honest while giving themselves some degree of artistic license. This reinvention of Robin Hood is such a fun, locally-focused derivation that it deserves to be praised. The performers kept me, my friends and a very large audience, hugely entertained and at some points we couldn’t stop laughing.

It’s hard not to crush on Chris Cook (amazing as Robin Hood) and Joel Stephanson (the lovely Alan, who also doubles here as musical director and sings throughout the whole play). Their performances are nothing short of endearing and refreshing. I last saw Joel, Julia Church (Chief Gisborne) and Kaitlin Williams (a most fantastic Marion) in GodSpell (which you may remember made my week when I went to see it at Pacific Theatre). I loved them there, and I love them here too, in Robin Hood. Katie Takefman is awesome and versatile as Will. Overall, everyone in the cast and production team were amazing, I think.

Aptly situated in the gorgeous Queen Elizabeth Park, Itsazoo Productions’ Robin Hood takes us throughout a variety of local scenes of our beloved Vancouver. Derelict areas in the Downtown East Side are reproduced and transported magically to NottinghamCouver. Robin Hood steals from the rich (as we know) to give to the homeless in the red tents. The need for funding for social housing programs is at its highest and the government is spending on a large international sporting event (does this remind you of anything by chance?). It’s Robin Hood, British Columbia-Style. Do yourself a service and attend this play.

Robin Hood takes place August 4-7, 10-14 and 17-19 @ 7:00pm, at the Queen Elizabeth Park. Meet at the entrance to the Bloedel Conservatory. If you want to arrive by bus, you can take the 33 and there is a bus stop right outside the curling rink. The walk up to the Bloedel Conservatory may be a bit steep so bring comfortable shoes. Tickets are $13 & $17 plus HST and can only be purchased in person from the Bloedel Conservatory. Bloedel Hours: 9am-8pm Monday to Friday & 10am-9pm Sat/Sun. Otherwise you can call 778-888-2435 or email ITSAZOO for more information (itsazoo AT Gmail DOT com).

Disclosure: The tickets to attend the play for me and my guest were sponsored very generously by ITSAZOO Productions (thank you). They also sponsored the tickets . While I did not pay to attend the show, I will gladly pay to attend again, as it is a great production. This post hasn’t been paid for either. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times, and producers and publicists are well aware of this. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.

Be Sociable, Share!