Robin Hood and Maid Marian at Strawdog Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...Neither the adaptation nor Pierce's staging seem to know whether they want to treat the material with reverence - some of the speeches feel pretty stodgy and declamatory a la 19th century prosody - or to really reinvestigate its themes of dispossession as a sort of populist panto. (Robin and Marian aren't battling Andrew Bailes' scheming Prince John because they hate monarchy - they just retain loyalty to King Richard.) The latter would be a great choice, especially since Strawdog itself is being evicted from its longtime home."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...The F&H folks seem to know there's a problem and, in this adaptation directed by Matt Pierce, try to compensate by adding lightly parodic touches. Doesn't really work."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...Why the Forks and Hope Ensemble chose this cumbersome script over the more actor-friendly 15th-century Robin Hood texts remains a mystery, since the limits of the company's budget and talent pool make for initial confusion as we acclimate to the cross-gender casting and Austin Oie's songs melding lyrics composed by Arthur Sullivan ( of "Gilbert and" fame ) for the original production and melodies arranged for western folk guitar and slurring Midwestern accents. Tennyson's delicate period sensibilities are all but eclipsed by such slapstick material as Irma Vep-style lightning costume changes and woodland birds replicated by a trio of brawny whistlers garbed in penguin caps. The overall impression is that of an end-of-the-semester student romp striving for the camp burlesque of Mel Brooks or Monty Python, but not yet wholly committed to its aesthetic of raucous irreverence."

Theatre By Numbers - Recommended

"...Strawdog Theater and adaptors Forks & Hope have crafted a very savvy adaptation of "Robin Hood and Maid Marian" that delivers the granddaddy of all 'good triumphing over evil' stories, sketched very sparingly by director Matt Pierce."

Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended

"...Here is another delightful alternative to the onslaught of holiday fare that erupts around Chicago at this time of year. Instead of a Mouse King and a Nutcracker Prince doing battle, we have swordplay between the banished former Earl of Huntington, labeled an outlaw for robbing the rich to give to the poor, and the cruel and unjust Prince John and Sheriff of Nottingham. Two energetic hours of thrills, physicality and colorful, poetic dialogue add up to an enchanting evening of family fun."

The Fourth Walsh - Recommended

"...Various ensemble members don bird hats or deer antlers to prance through the forest. The birds chirp out melodies while the deer just skip across the stage. At least at my performance, it didn't get the intended laugh or awwww. It was more of an awkward speed bump. The addition of the woodland creatures was unnecessary and distracting from the real story. Still, I enjoyed my trip to Sherwood Forest. ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN are a contemporary couple for the ages."