Robin Hood and the Secret of Sherwood

by Jeremy Sony

Sword fights, secret identities, love, betrayal, redemption: history and legend collide in this new tale of Robin Hood! ​When the Brothers Huntingdon lost their parents to the treachery of King Henry of the Plantagenets, their lives took very different paths. When their paths cross again in Sherwood Forest, they find a Queen fighting for freedom, the King who destroyed their family, and the truth about their...

Sword fights, secret identities, love, betrayal, redemption: history and legend collide in this new tale of Robin Hood! ​When the Brothers Huntingdon lost their parents to the treachery of King Henry of the Plantagenets, their lives took very different paths. When their paths cross again in Sherwood Forest, they find a Queen fighting for freedom, the King who destroyed their family, and the truth about their connection to the legendary Robin Hood. Their feud puts the very future of England at stake, as one brother puts the law before his kin, while the other discovers that being an outlaw might just be in his blood. [Run time est. 2 hours]

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Robin Hood and the Secret of Sherwood

Recommended by

  • Sarah Bowden: Robin Hood and the Secret of Sherwood by Jeremy Sony
    “

    Robin Hood as a superhero-type mantle is such a clever idea, and it is well-employed by Jeremy Sony in an examination of duty and identity. This play is a rollicking good time, and packs an unexpected emotional wallop about three-quarters of the way through. Great for all variety of theatre companies.

    Robin Hood as a superhero-type mantle is such a clever idea, and it is well-employed by Jeremy Sony in an examination of duty and identity. This play is a rollicking good time, and packs an unexpected emotional wallop about three-quarters of the way through. Great for all variety of theatre companies.

    ”
  • Chelsea Frandsen: Robin Hood and the Secret of Sherwood by Jeremy Sony
    “

    Robin Hood has long been a favorite legend of mine--and I am in love with Sony's adaption. What an original way to tell a beloved origin story in a a way appropriate for all ages. I loved both the inclusion of classic favorites, historical figures, and delightful new characters. There is also an amazing twist to the relationship between Robin and the Sheriff(no spoilers--but it's really good!) I have now read this script five times out of sheer delight and highly recommend it to any and every fan of the Robin Hood story!

    Robin Hood has long been a favorite legend of mine--and I am in love with Sony's adaption. What an original way to tell a beloved origin story in a a way appropriate for all ages. I loved both the inclusion of classic favorites, historical figures, and delightful new characters. There is also an amazing twist to the relationship between Robin and the Sheriff(no spoilers--but it's really good!) I have now read this script five times out of sheer delight and highly recommend it to any and every fan of the Robin Hood story!

    ”

Character Information

This is a large-cast play, written for 21 performers. It has been performed by adults (with a few younger outlaws played by youth actors) and also staged entirely by a troupe of youth/teen actors (ages 8-19).

There is some flexibility to expand to 29 performers by casting out the doubled roles. These roles are small and doubled for a reason, but the original production cast them separately to also appear as background talent in the Blue Boar Inn and Nottingham Market scenes.

There is also some flexibility to condense down to 19 performers by combining the three younger outlaws (MUCH, WULFWYN, and LOVE) into one (MUCH).

Diverse casting is welcome and encouraged. The play lives in 1189; we do not.

Some characters are based on historical figures (and the note above still applies). Queen Eleanor (of Aquitaine), Prince Richard (the Lionheart, Richard I), Prince John (John I), and King Henry (King Henry II) of the Plantagenet family were alive in 1189. Their ages are based in historical record; their involvement in this story, in legend.

Several characters engage in one-on-one stage combat, using quarterstaffs, swords, or bow and arrow. Noted in NPX character list.
  • Robin
    Ex-nobleman Robert of Huntingdon. Archer. Rogue. Has stage combat (bow, quarterstaff, and sword).
    20s
    Male
  • Marian
    Noblewoman Lady Matilda. Elegant and rebellious. Has stage combat (sword).
    20s
    Female
  • Sheriff of Nottingham
    Philip of Huntingdon. Dutiful.
    20s-30s
    Male
  • Clara the Barkeep
    Independent. Owns the Blue Boar Inn.
    30s-50s
    Female
  • Gunnor
    Widow, butcher. Audacious.
    30s-50s
    Female
  • Friar Tuck
    Yep, that Tuck. Holy man. Jovial, but stern. Before he met up with the Merry Outlaws.
    40s+
    Male
  • Will Stutely
    Outlaw. Popular, friendly, lives by his ego.
    20s-30s
    Male
  • King Henry
    Henry II, of the Plantagenets. The Devil. Has stage combat (sword).
    56
    Male
  • Queen Eleanor
    Eleanor of Aquitaine. Commanding.
    67
    Female
  • Prince Richard
    Future King of England, a natural leader. Has stage combat (sword).
    31
    Male
  • Prince John
    Wants to be king. Out for himself. Has stage combat (sword).
    22
    Male
  • Eva the Prioress
    Robin's cousin, runs a priory. Doubles GEMMA.
    40s-60s
    Female
  • Catherine of Locksley
    A woman with a secret. A survivor. Has stage combat (quarterstaff).
    40s-50s
    Female
  • Scarlett
    Locksley's kinswoman. Spirited. Impulsive.
    20s
    Female
  • Little John
    Outlaw guardsman. Friendly & tough. Has stage combat (quarterstaff).
    30s-40s
    Male
  • Lady Joan
    Mother figure to the outlaws. Protector.
    30s-40s
    Female
  • Alan-a-Dale
    A minstrel and gentle soul. Opportunity for singing / spoken song. Doubles RAND and SHOPKEEPER.
    20s-40s
    Male
  • The Tinker
    Crafty intelligence, builds things. Doubles WARIN and the PIEMAKER.
    30s-60s
    Male
  • Wulfwyn
    The huntress. Nimble, tough, calculated. Doubles LEFWEN.
    Youth/Teen or Young Adult
    Female
  • Much
    The Miller’s Son. An orphan. Clever. Thief. Doubles the HERALD.
    Youth/Teen or Young Adult
    Male
  • Love
    The Miller’s Daughter. Orphan. Innocent. Double FLOWER GIRL (though technically, the flower girl could actually be Love).
    Youth/Teen or Young Adult

Development History

  • Reading, Curtain Players Theatre, 2016
  • Commission, Street Theatre Company ClassAct Dramatics, 2014

Production History

  • Community Theater, Curtain Players Theatre and the City of Westerville Parks & Recreation, 2016
  • Community Theater, ClassAct Dramatics of Street Theatre Company, 2014