The BBC might have had its Two Ronnies but Armidale is catching up with its two Robins.
They met up for the first time on Sunday before the matinee of Robin Hood, Lost in Tights at the Armidale Town Hall.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay in tights and the title role compared notes with James Sheehan, the lead in Rockin’ Robin and Hoods to play at the TAS Hoskins Centre on the weekend of December 17-18.
The MP is already seasoned in his role after two performances and two more to go on Friday and Saturday nights.
James is still in rehearsal but will appear on stage this Saturday in a small excerpt from the production for AccessFest, a celebration of music, drama and dance featuring people with disabilities working with professional performers at the Hoskins Centre at 2.30pm.
“It’s quite a coincidence that the community pantomime and the Saturday Magic Theatre Troupe both focus on Robin Hood, but that’s where the similarities end, ” Mr Torbay said.
“I feel sorry for James that he is not getting to perform in tights but his compensation is that he’s scored a rock ’n’ roll version, which sounds like a lot of fun.”
While the Tights version centres on the dire politics of Guyralladale, Rockin’ Robin is set in the 1950s with Milkshake Girls drinking pink milkshakes, playing the juke box and dancing with the Merry Men and the Hoods.
“We are having a lot of fun, I’m enjoying being Rockin’ Robin,” James says.
Ms Albury, with a group of drama enthusiasts, started the Saturday Magic Theatre Troupe to give people with disabilities an opportunity to perform on stage.
Last year’s production ‘A Kind of”¦.. Cinderella’ at the Hoskins Centre received rave reviews.
Bookings for Robin Hood Lost in Tights at the Armidale Dumaresq Council, Rusden St. For Rockin’ Robin, just turn up at the Hoskins Centre on September 17 or 18 at 2.30pm. with a gold coin donation.
