KEN LUDWIG’S
SHERWOOD:
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
Directed by John DiAntonio
A HISTORY OF ROBIN HOOD Though little evidence exists to prove that Robin Hood was a real person, his presence as one of our most well-known folk heroes dates back hundreds of years, and his universal appeal continues to this day.
A Gest of Robin Hood
One of the earliest known references to Robin Hood, this gest (an adventurous tale in verse) was paired with two other stories: Robin Hood and the Monk (see page 21) and Robin Hood and the Potter. They date back to the latter half of the 15th century, though some historians believe they were written earlier. Though later versions presented him as being of noble birth and a follower of King Richard, he was originally a yeoman (a land-owning servant). Characters like Friar Tuck and Maid Marian were added as the story evolved.
Adaptations for Children
In the early 19th century, the stories were first adapted for children by writer/illustrators. One of the most popular was Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Pyle’s illustrated poems and fairy tales were quite successful starting in 1876. Merry Adventures was his first attempt at a novel and published in 1883. Some advancements included Friar Tuck’s first appearance, and the origin of Robin Hood as a heroic outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Howard Pyle's illustration of Friar Tuck and Robin Hood.
FAMOUS ROBINS Robin Hood - A Fox (Brian Bedford) and Little John A Bear (Phil Harris) in Walt Disney’s Robin Hood (1973)
Kermit the Frog as Robin and Fozzie Bear as Little John
Errol Flynn as Robin in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Russell Crowe as Robin, Cate Blanchett as Lady Marian in Robin Hood (2010)
Taron Egerton as Robin and Jamie Fox as Little John in Robin Hood (2018)
KIRK & CHARLOTTE DOOLEY
20 your theatre, always
