In my mind a pantomime should be full of family entertainment. It’s not about a clinical performance, it’s about a performance that entertains the whole family and Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood at the Woodville Theatre in Gravesend certainly does that and more.

Ricky Norwood stars as the Sheriff Of Nottingham and has perfected the role to a tee. He is most definitely a man you wouldn’t want meet on a dark forest night!

In the Lynch twins, Edele and Keavy the pantomime has that rare combination of pop stars who can actually act as well. Edele’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch Of The Forest is breathtaking and enough to scare living daylights out of young and old alike. Her snarl and stare was enough to send shivers down my spine! Sister Keavy makes a beautiful Fairy Of The Forest and is it a pure delight to hear her wonderful singing voice too.

This pantomime is a feel good representation of the timeless classic story of Robin Hood. And the addition of local references along with jokes and songs to the casts past musical and theatrical exploits makes for a thoroughly entertaining 2 ½ hours on a cold December afternoon.

I for one loved Amy – Jane Ollies portrayal of Maid Marion and Eleanor Sandars as Robin Hood proves she’s not afraid to belt out those classic songs. She has a wonderful voice. Robert Pearce and Ant Payne hold the show together perfectly with their blend of humour and jokes whilst ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalists Keiran Sutcliffe and Sarah Jameson add a welcomed light hearted gravitas to proceedings.

Some hardened theatre critics love to hate pantomime, “Oh yes they do!” But the truth of the matter is it isn’t about them or their views, it’s about the paying audience and from what I saw they loved every single minute of it.