reviewvancouver: East Van Panto: Robin Hood

The East Van Panto continues to bring its signature blend of local satire and whimsical fun with this year’s production of Robin Hood. A playful and lighthearted satire, the show delivered plenty of laughs and music at the York Theatre while weaving in deeper themes that resonated beyond the humor.

Rooted in the centuries-old British tradition of pantomime, pantos are a beloved holiday staple. Originally designed for families, these theatrical productions mix fairytale-like stories, exaggerated characters, encouraging of audience participation, create a joyful, shared experience for all. True to its origins, Robin Hood embraced this spirit of community connection, with hilarious audience participation—especially the moments involving Hans the Hedgehog interviewing a child volunteer—infusing the evening with spontaneity and warmth. The panto was a reminder of the delight that comes from shared experiences, something we may be craving more than ever in our disconnected, fast-paced world.

The plot followed the Merry-Thems, a band of animal misfits, as they tried to reclaim Trout Lake from the narcissistic Prince Ken (a parody of Mayor Ken Sim). Scripted by Jivesh Parasram and Christine Quintana, the story tackled themes of affordability, public space, and privatization. These societal challenges, while tough to distill into satire, found a clever parallel in Robin’s personal identity crisis. As Robin struggled to understand his place in the world, the story echoed broader questions about what defines a community: who belongs, who decides, and what’s worth preserving.

Jason Sakaki shone in his dual roles as Prince Ken and the gentle librarian, Marion, delivering both arrogance and charm with comedic flair. Mark Chavez was also brilliant, juggling multiple roles including Hans the Hedgehog, who delivered some of the funniest moments of the show. Carol Chu’s timid squirrel and Steffanie Davis’ swaggering Toni the Pony added unique flair. Hayley Sullivan brought emotional depth to Robin, whose journey of self-discovery provided a poignant counterpoint to the show’s humor. Veda Hille’s music tied everything together, with its catchy riffs keeping the energy bombastic.

While the satire didn’t always hit its mark, the balance of humor and heart carried the show. The second subplot of Robin’s self-discovery brought depth to the story and tied the themes of identity and community together in a thoughtful way.

In the end, Robin Hood was more than just a fun evening at the theatre. It was a reflection of the power of storytelling, laughter, and shared experiences to bring people together—a reminder of why pantos hold such a special place in our holiday traditions and why we need more of these moments of connected joy.