ROCKIN’ ROBIN
Bows, baddies and a British hero. MARION MCMULLEN looks at the launch of Robin Of Sherwood 40 years ago
MYTH and magic combined when Robin Of Sherwood began 40 years ago. The familiar tale of the bow-carrying outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor was given a new twist by writer Richard Carpenter.
Richard made Robin the champion of forest shaman Herne the Hunter (John Abineri) and Robin pledged to protect the local people in the guise of the Hooded Man.
Actor-turned-writer
Richard had created TV shows like Catweazle and The Ghosts Of Motley Hall, and Michael Praed was chosen to play Robin of Loxley in the new ITV series which launched on April 28, 1984. He was cast after he impressed producers who saw him in the 1982 production of The Pirates Of Penzance, with Tim Curry, in London’s West End.
Judi Trott played Lady Marion, with Ray Winstone as Will Scarlet and Clive Mantle as Little John.
The series ran for 24 episodes and won two Baftas, attracting guests stars like Phil Davis who played Prince John, and John Rhys-davies as King Richard. Judge John Deed actor Martin Shaw even made an
uncredited appearance as a beggar.
The action was set in the 12th century and storylines filled with witchcraft, sorcery and spells kept the outlaws on their toes.
Michael Praed’s Robin met his
death in a hail of arrows while poignantly proclaiming: “Nothing’s forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten.” He was right. You cannot keep a good hero down and Jason Connery joined the series to play nobleman Robin of Huntingdon and continue the crusade to protect the local people.
Jason followed in the footsteps of his father Sir Sean Connery, who played Robin Hood himself in the 1976 film Robin and Marian, opposite Audrey Hepburn. It was revealed Jason’s Robin was the brother of Guy of Gisburne (Robert Addie) in an episode entitled The Cross Of St Ciricus, which also featured The Rocky Horror Show’s Richard O’brien as a druid called Gulnar.