NOT Cricket Productions know how to create an immersive atmosphere, and their decoration of 41 Monkgate turns the theatre into a forest hideaway with rustic fortresses and a crackling fire.

The young York company’s latest production is an original adaptation of the well-known Robin Hood stories, introducing a new adventurer into the mix in the form of a recently orphaned and understandably quite vengeful Maid Marian.

Joel Bates’s script takes the legend of Robin Hood to a darker place than recent adaptations but still allows for plenty of comic relief. Jared More in particular stands out for his larger-than-life Friar Tuck, by far making himself the merriest of Robin’s men.

York Press:

Gabriel Elston's Robin, Katie Lansdale's Scarlet and Guy Matthew's Little John in A Tale Of Robin Hood

The gang of outlaws is well cast and they show a good chemistry on stage, each fleshing out their characters nicely. The interaction between Katie Lansdale’s Scarlet and newbie Freda (Lottie Bauer) is endearing, and it’s always a joy to see Guy Matthew’s Little John appear on stage.

Despite the dramatic set-up of the plot – Marian’s father has been murdered and all signs point to Robin (Gabriel Elston), whose curiosity leads him to seek out the actual murderer – the tone of the play seems somewhat mellow to begin with, accompanied by acoustic guitar and drumming.

The script also takes its time building up to conflict and leaves a lot of tension bubbling on the surface, but once the combat scenes get going we see the full sense of adventure.

Hannah Forsyth’s Marian commands the stage during these fight sequences, completely at ease with a sword at her side. There are some scenes that are likely to frighten younger children but if you’re after something to keep your own outlaws entertained, Hood’s men have you covered.

A Tale Of Robin Hood, Not Cricket Productions,Upstage Centre, 41 Monkgate, York, tonight, tomorrow and Friday, 7.30pm; Saturday, 2pm and 6pm. Box office: simplyspiffing.co.uk