About the Production
David Farr's The Heart of Robin Hood premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011 before traveling to the American Repertory Theater in 2013. The production seen in Winnipeg and Toronto in 2014-2015 featured a Canadian/American cast and was co-produced by David Mirvish and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, with Tony-winning producers Barry and Fran Weissler.
This inventive and athletic stage adaptation of the classic tale was directed by acclaimed Icelandic theatrical artist Gísli Örn Gardarsson, whose innovative staging featured actors swinging from ropes, sliding down a massive sloped green stage, and performing acrobatic stunts. The production included original music performed live on stage by the acclaimed roots band Parsonsfield.
An Innovative Approach
In this fresh take on the legend, Robin Hood begins as a selfish thief who steals from the rich but keeps everything for himself. When Marion flees from the clutches of the evil Prince John (Euan Morton), she disguises herself as "Martin" and forms her own band of philanthropic thieves. Through her courage and virtue, she eventually inspires Robin to find his heart and become the hero of legend.
The production featured spectacular physical theater, with actors sliding down a massive 12-meter-tall green slope representing Sherwood Forest, swinging from ropes, performing stunts, and engaging in inventive fight choreography. Original music by the bluegrass-roots band Parsonsfield was performed live on stage throughout the show.
Euan as Prince John
Euan Morton portrayed the villainous Prince John, the scheming and lecherous brother of King Richard who threatens to betray the King and endanger all of England. As the primary antagonist of the story, Prince John's cruelty and greed serve as the perfect foil to Marion's virtue and Robin's developing moral compass. Morton performed this role in both the Winnipeg and Toronto productions, earning notable praise. A review from CBC News noted that "Euan Morton does a deliciously wicked turn as the cruel prince" in the Winnipeg production. Mooney on Theatre was even more emphatic, reporting that "Euan Morton is so horrible, so utterly and coldly evil, as Prince John that the opening night audience booed him right out loud" - a testament to the effectiveness of his villainous portrayal. Tourism Winnipeg also praised his performance, noting that despite playing an evil character, Morton "still had the crowd in hysterics," contributing to a show that received an enthusiastic standing ovation.
Synopsis
To escape her impending marriage to the villainous Prince John, Marion flees to Sherwood Forest seeking a new life with the legendary Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Instead, she discovers that Robin is merely a thug who steals from the rich and keeps everything for himself. As Prince John's schemes threaten the kingdom, Marion disguises herself as "Martin" to form her own band of philanthropic thieves. Through her courage and determination, she protects the poor, fights against tyranny, and ultimately inspires Robin to find his heart and become the hero we know from legend.
Photos from the Production
