Expert panto review from 10-year-old Betty

Hello Lincoln stepped into the New Theatre Royal Lincoln and straight into the heart of festive tradition as the curtain rose on the city’s longest-running pantomime: the 2025 Christmas production of Robin Hood. 

What followed was a lively leap into Sherwood Forest, where high-energy dance routines, impressive vocals, sparkling “wow” moments and plenty of laughter - and obligatory boos - set the tone for a merry adventure worthy of Lincoln’s beloved panto legacy.
Now it’s over to our young reviewer, 10-year-old Betty Williams from Lincoln (pictured below), to tell us what she made of the show.

Q: What pantomime did you watch and where was it performed?
A: I watched Robin Hood at Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal. I’d never seen a Robin Hood panto before, so I was really excited to find out what the story would be like.

Q: Who were your favourite characters, and why?
A: I loved Nurse Nora because she was silly, funny and a bit cheeky. She kept teasing a man in the audience and everyone was laughing so much. She even wanted to be his girlfriend!
I also really liked the Sheriff. He’s supposed to be scary, but he was actually hilarious. Plus, he was played by Louis Smith, and he did some cool tricks because he’s an athlete and a dancer.
But my absolute favourite was Frannie Tuck. She was such a good singer and she could act and dance brilliantly.
I also thought all the young people who were dancing and singing were great. The two girls that has solo singing parts were really brave and I was very impressed by them 

Q: What was the funniest moment?
A: I laughed the most during the song where they all sang about what they’d do if they weren’t in pantomime. They took turns dancing and the moves were so carefully timed that it looked like they were almost bumping into each other but never did. It was so funny!

Q: Did the actors talk to the audience or get you to join in? How?
A: Yes! They shouted things like “OH NO HE DIDN’T!” and we had to shout back “OH YES HE DID!” every time. Nurse Nora also made us shout “WE ADORE YA!” whenever she came on stage. It was really noisy and fun.

Q: What did you think of the costumes and the set?
A: The costumes were great! Nurse Nora’s dresses were totally crazy, especially when she came on dressed as a giant Christmas tree at the end. I don’t know how she walked around without falling over!
The scenery was painted onto big curtains that came down from the roof, which was really good because it showed exactly where the scenes were happening.

Q: Did you have a favourite song or dance? Why?
A: I liked all the songs! Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Frannie Tuck were brilliant singers.
I also loved that I knew lots of the songs so I could sing along. They even sang Staying Alive, which we learned in our first aid lessons at school!

Q: Was there anything you didn’t like or thought could be better?
A: I wish the Sheriff had done even more dancing because I saw him on Strictly and I know he’s amazing.
Q: Would you tell your friends to go and see it? Why or why not?
A: Yes, definitely! It’s funny and loud and colourful and I think all my friends would love it.