This Robin steals from the rich tradition of English folklore

The English folklore legend of Robin Hood generally has him living a pastoral simple life deep in Sherwood Forest with his band of Merry Men. He’s a bit of a rogue robbing the rich, but he’s also something of a socialist as he redistributes the wealth by giving it to the poor.

Mr. Hood’s politics aside, he’s long been a beloved character in literature and film, with numerous variations of his story told in numerous formats from silent films to big-time adventure epics and even a recent large-scale theater production at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

The new production at the B Street Theatre Family Series, from an adaptation by Greg Banks, comes through the filter of Mel Brooks’ parody “Robin Hood: Men In Tights.”

A campy, tongue-in-cheek truffle with as much comic affectation as swashbuckling action and romance, the production uses just five actors playing the many classic characters Banks has included. B Street newcomers Darek Riley and Fiona Robberson play Robin and his love interest, Maid Marion, with Sean Patrick Nill and Stephanie Altholtz doing the multicharacter heavy lifting. Winston Koone intentionally chews up scenery as a foppish Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin’s nemesis.

Director Jerry Montoya’s pleasantly funny production has plenty of jokes for adults and audience participation for kids.

This story was originally published November 29, 2016 at 1:02 PM with the headline "This Robin steals from the rich tradition of English folklore."