Review: Broadway-Bound THE HEART OF ROBIN HOOD Opens To Great Fanfare in Toronto

5 out of 5 stars

The Toronto production of "The Heart of Robin Hood" opened to great fanfare yesterday evening at The Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto. The audience leapt to its feet at curtain call to cheer on the cast - and it was well deserved. "The Heart of Robin Hood" is a great, feel-good night out at the theatre - with a fun twist on the story you probably already know and love.

In this version - Robin Hood is far from the just leader of a bad of merry men. Gabriel Ebert plays a wicked version of the iconic character, who only steals for himself and his men - and doesn't give back to the poor. His simple world view is shattered when he meets Maiden Marion who wishes to join him and his men because she feels trapped in her absent father's palace.

Robin Hood, however, has a no women policy in his camp and sends Marion home after taking her jewels. Not one to accept defeat, Marion - played Izzie Steele, dresses up as a man and decides to live as an outlaw in the woods with her servant, Pierre. She's the one who comes up with the steal from the rich, give to the poor concept.

She and Robin Hood soon cross paths and before you know it - a "bromance" ensues. A clever side plot also involves Prince John (capably played by Euan Morton) attempting to take over the land to become king and wed Marion, something no play set in the middle ages can be without.

To put minds at ease, I'll say here that all ends well - as one would expect.

See more: Watch the cast of The Heart of Robin Hood talk about the show.

The entire cast is marvelous, but Izzie Steele is the true standout and a star in the making. She's giving a tour de force performance - both in terms of her physicality and acting ability. Gabriel Ebert's Robin Hood is likable, despite his evil inclinations - and Ebert commands the stage with his bravado.

Christian Lloyd is charming as Pierre - who also serves as the shows narrator (though the latter is in a lesser capacity.) The roles of the two young children in the cast are alternated, with Anna Bartlam and Tate Yap serving as Sarah and Jethro Summers at the media performance. Both were great, though Yap left a larger impression as his role has much more to do.

While not a musical, the show is accompanied by the indie band Parsonsfield. The group (Erik Hischmann, Max Shakun, Harrison Goodale, Chris Freeman, and Antonio Alcorn) have an incredibly unique sound - consisting of a blend of funk, jazz, country, with hooks that wouldn't be out of place on Sirius/XM's Coffe House Channel. Despite not being able to catch part of the lyrics to the opening song due to sound issues - watching Parsonsfield parade around the stage is a treat, and the energy they bring to the production elevates the entire show to higher stratosphere of excellence.

More about Parsonsfield.

The production is visually stunning, with action occurring all over the stage - at all kinds of elevations. While I had some concerns about how the fixed set would adapt throughout the show - this turned out to be a non-issue. Set Designer Borkur Jonsson has crafted a perfect world for Robin Hood, his merry men, and Marion to play in.

David Farr's book is witty, hilarious, and well-paced - making the production suitable for even those who aren't normally fans of plays. Gisli Orn Gardarsson's direction is perfectly suited to this style of storytelling - and his highly physical, acrobatic, and self-aware production will awe and astound audiences in Toronto and on Broadway.

With a sublime cast, brilliant design, acrobatics, fabulous music, and an original take on a well-known hero - what more could anyone want from "The Heart of Robin Hood?" The production plays Toronto now through March 1st before transferring to The Marquis Theatre with previews on Broadway beginning March 11th.

Tickets available now at Mirvish.com.

Broadway Tickets are available online now, here.

Production Photos by Joan Marcus. Photo of Izzie Steele by Jerry Grajewski.

Follow Alan on twitter at @alanhenryTO.

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