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Rehearsals begin for Corn Exchange Newbury’s Robin Hood and Maid Marian!

A line of performers dancing with prop sticks

The festive season is fast approaching, and rehearsals have begun for this year’s Corn Exchange Newbury pantomime, Robin Hood and Maid Marian

Written by the award-winning team Plested Brown and Wilsher, who return after a string of smash-hit Newbury Panto productions, audiences can once again expect a Christmas show bursting with mischief, mayhem and merry-making. 

This year’s adventure takes audiences deep into the magical forest of Newburyshire, where our swashbuckling heroes Robin Hood, Maid Marian and their band of merry outlaws are plotting to overthrow the dreadful Sheriff of Newburyshire. After fourteen long years of tyranny, marked by greed, injustice, and even a worrying fondness for eating local swans, the Sheriff’s reign may finally be coming to an end.  

Leading the cast is Harry Sweetman as Robin Hood, joined by Samara Rawlins as the spirited Maid Marian and Alex Crandon as the wicked Sheriff of Newburyshire. The ever-popular Graham Mackay-Bruce returns as the hilarious Dame, Nursemaid Nellie, alongside Grace Kelly Miller as Willamina Scarlett and Jenny Perry as the enchanting Fairy Ferne-A-Dale. The talented ensemble includes Abby Fell, Finley Davies and Sophie McKinnon, completing this year’s merry band. 

Photo credit: Rich Lakos

A performer standing with one knee up on a block, holding a sword.
A performer with arms outstretched with two performers crouching beside them.
A line of performers, with three leaning away scared as a fourth looms over them.
An actor stands staring into the distance with a surprised look on his face, as another performer holds a bird on to his shoulder from behind him.
A group of actors crouch smiling and pointing at another performer who is standing in the middle of them smiling and holding their hands up.

Brimming with toe-tapping songs from across the decades, dazzling dance numbers and jokes to have the whole family bowing with laughter, Robin Hood and Maid Marian promises a joyful take on the classic tale, with all the warmth, wit and sparkle that have made the Corn Exchange pantomime a highlight of Newbury’s festive calendar. 

Audiences can enjoy preview performances from Friday 28 November before the full run begins, with performances running throughout the festive season until Saturday 3 January. A series of special performances will also ensure everyone can join in the fun, including BSL interpreted, captioned, relaxed, audio described and for the first time a dementia-friendly performance. For grown-ups looking for a cheekier night out, there will be a selection of adult only performances on selected Thursday and Friday evenings across the run. 

Robin Hood and Maid Marian runs from Friday 28 November 2025 to Saturday 3 January 2026. Find out more and book your tickets here, or via the Box Office at 01635 522733.