Catching up with Robin Hood

We had a chat with Robin Hood, to find out about his role at this weekend's very popular Robin Hood Pageant at Nottingham Castle. The pageant is on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October. What are you most looking forward to about this year’s pageant? The new and the old; we’ve got some great new shows in the arena (including one I’m in) but we’ve still got the majesty and spectacle of the jousting – and of course the same great atmosphere of excitement and fun! It’s always great to meet all of the families from grandparents to children, all of whom have different stories and ideas about the Robin Hood legend, the history and the films. We love meeting and talking to everyone! What will you be doing at this year’s pageant? I’ll be with the lovely Maid Marion meeting everyone who comes into the castle as well as performing in  two shows each day with her, the Sheriff and Sir Guy of Guisbourne – it’s going to be very funny, silly and enjoyable! How do you feel about coming face to face with the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham? Well we’ve been fighting each other for over 900 years now and I’m not sure he’s ever won so I’m surprised he still bothers – but what would the Pageant be without such a panto villain? All the children love to ‘boo’ him, at least! Have you clashed with the Sheriff at the castle before? Every year! We’ve had huge sword fights, an archery competition and of course the Pageant is an annual event for us – luckily everyone still enjoys watching us! Where do you and your merry men like to hideout in Nottinghamshire? There are so many great places in Nottinghamshire, both in the city and the county – traditionally we hide in Sherwood Forest of course, but Nottingham is such a great, vibrant city who wouldn’t want to visit all the time? Will you be showing off your impressive archery skills at the pageant? Only if the Sheriff gets very naughty indeed. Then again, he usually does! And everyone can have a go at archery too, as there’s a great archery range so you can try it yourself! Can anybody join your band of merry men? Of course, as long as you’re not a baddie! Can we look forward to a visit from Maid Marion at the pageant? The lovely Maid Marion will be there, yes – I have heard the Sheriff is planning to kidnap her though so I hope the boys and girls will keep an eye out for him and let me know if he’s around! What can you tell us about Robin Hood’s relationship to Nottingham Castle? I’ve been trying to sneak into the Castle for hundreds of years so the Pageant is always a real treat for me – the Castle itself is a great building with some wonderful displays and exhibitions and there’s always something fun going on there. Not like the old days when it was cold, draughty and home to the evil Sheriff – now everyone’s welcome! Where is your favourite place in Nottinghamshire? Most people would expect me to say Sherwood Forest, but actually it’s wherever Maid Marion is – so this weekend, Nottingham Castle! Come and say hello to us there!