IF YOU want to treat the kids to a high-energy, cheeky, action-packed family panto, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy Robin Hood, which ticks all the boxes.

It stars handsome hero Robin Hood (played by CITV Hi-5 presenter Chris Edgerley), sassy but sweet Maid Marian (Amanda Swift) and true panto baddie,the Sherriff of Rottingham, who relished the cacophony of youthful boos and hisses.

Meanwhile, village idiot Silly Willy (Tom Swift) and Friar Tuck (Jimmy Burton-Ilses) team up to provide slapstick, plus a dash of adult humour with a marathon tongue twister about a pheasant plucker.

Robin Hood’s an age-old tale with the evil Sherriff robbing the poor through eye-wateringly high taxes to pay for his own evil plans, before kidnapping Maid Marion and banishing her to jail, to marry her under duress.

But wait, there’s a modern twist: to rescue Marion, Robin and his band of Merry Men must plot to enter their tailor-made version of Sherwood Forest’s Got Talent to flush out Marion and win the day, but will they rescue her in the nick of time?

I won’t spoil the outcome, but look out for the cloaked interloper (Robin Hood) who hobbles on-stage, doubled over while carrying his giveaway bow and arrow just as Big John (Josh Bennett from Harry Potter) makes a surreal eye-catching medieval traffic cone to divert attention.

Britain’s Got Talent impressionist Philip Green kept breaking into voices, including Janet Street Porter, Kim and Aggie, Stacey Solomon and Sarah Millican. Spot-on for mums and dads, though lost on the tots.

The bond between Robin and Marion was sweet and touching with a powerful love duet and the cast dancing and singing was excellent.

My niece Jasmine, 4, was entranced by the sugary, romantic happy-ever-after-ending. Her verdict: “It was like a dream come true!”

The roof-raising finale, complete with audience participation was infectious. Back home, three hours later, we were still singing.

Robin Hood and his Merry Men tours until May 31 across the country.

For more, log on to www.wickedproductions.co.uk