MAKE no mistake, a splendid treat is in store for half-termers looking for another panto fix. The Company of Four have showed themselves once again no babes in the wood when it comes to producing quality entertainment.

MAKE no mistake, a splendid treat is in store for half-termers looking for another panto fix.

The Company of Four have showed themselves once again no babes in the wood when it comes to producing quality entertainment.

A packed house was delighted with this all-singing, all-dancing take on the Robin Hood legend meets Hansel and Gretel and the producers unashamedly made every concession to its traditional, thigh-slapping hearty fun but also ensured some diverting twists.

Although it could have been edited slightly (three hours is perhaps a little too long, even for the hardiest of panto-goers), the scale and ambition of the production was quite awesome and CoF carried it off with aplomb.

Backstage must have been run with military precision as the dancers seemed to have a new outfit for practically every number, in fact all the costumes were beautifully presented. Full marks too must go to the set painters who produced scenery of real note which unpeeled at each scene to provide some stunning backdrops.

Every single member of the cast, chorus line and orchestra were a credit to the company but the old favourites could be found in Geoff Jacob's clotheshorse dame (he also directed) who certainly put the party into audience-participation. Villainy oozed from the Sheriff of Nottingham (Steve Pack) who proved with great hilarity the old adage that baddies always have the best lines.

Kerri-Ann Lees was properly heroic as Robin Hood and sung with command and sweetness but no one in this marvellous company should be spared praise for what is a rightly memorable production.

James Fraser.