Cappies Review: Mount Vernon High's 'The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood'

By Isabella Whitfield of Paul VI Catholic High School

We have all heard tales about the notoriously good Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. However, the selfless, humble young man that storybooks have portrayed for ages may not be entirely correct. Mount Vernon’s production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” seemingly contradicts all prior knowledge about this feather-capped hero and his band of Merry Men.

In this interpretation, Robin is the big-headed, egotistical leader of the eager, yet hopelessly clueless Merry Men (which, in a gender-equal twenty-first century, now includes females). This gender-swapping stays true both ways: The evil Prince John (Boo! Hiss!), traditionally played by a male actor, was portrayed by Molly McClelland.

The overall plotline sticks, as the title suggests, somewhat true to the original tale. In this spoof, Robin falls in love with the beautiful Marian, though she seems to have an unhealthy obsession with skin abrasions. His dreams of marriage are shattered by the scheming Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Determined to have Marian purely for her social status, the Sheriff enters to win her hand in an ostensibly one-sided competition: bowling. Robin, being the unlikely hero, practices zealously under the instruction of the Town’s Girl. After an intense tournament, the bowling match is thrown into sudden death. Robin triumphs over the Sheriff and takes Marian as his wife, as well as the affluent cash prize to feed the “porky poor people.”

The Mount Vernon Players proved the statement, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” Some of the characters with shorter stage-time often made extremely lasting impressions. One such actress is Kimaya Hall, who played the part of Will Scarlet. With her cynical sarcasm, Hall milked her role for all it was worth. In fact, the enthusiasm of all the Merry Men kept spirits up and the audience engaged throughout the show. This ensemble worked well with each other and was one of the stronger points of the show.

The antithesis of the Merry Men would have to be the crooked Prince John (McClelland). McClelland offered a hilarious new interpretation of this aristocrat by making him completely arrogant with the mannerisms of a five-year-old.

On a more technical scale, the sound effects were beautifully timed in scenes like the bowling tournament and the archery competition. The simple, but eye-pleasing set worked to the cast’s advantage. In such a dynamic play, the necessary space to run around was abundant. The modest dress of the characters allowed players to move unrestrained and act to their full potential.

Mount Vernon created a hilarious escape for any theater-goers. The family-friendly humor made this play appropriate--and funny--for all ages. This fantastic comedy is a play that “Sherwood” be worth seeing again!