If there’s something strange in the neighbourhood, who ya gonna call?

Well, when that something is a child-hungry monster and the neighbourhood the sleepy hollow of Greenwood, a buster of ghosts would be as useful as a mop-haired Etonian in charge of a pandemic.

I digress.

So, who ya gonna call? Why, Robin “ravishing eyes” Hood, of course, and her merry mentalists The Mystery Machine: an all-singing, all-dancing, all-female backing group whose synth-sational performances puts the POW! into girl power.

And power is what lies at the heart of Eve Nicol’s snappy and streetwise take on the mythical tale, directed with flair and finesse by Fiona MacKinnon.

Power cuts caused by the mysterious monster which pull the plug on the girlband’s rehearsals for the prestigious Greenwood gala. Power struggles between old and young, good and evil, authority and liberty, with Lauren Ellis-Steele revelling in the comedic role of the boo-hiss Sarge. And self-empowerment in which the “plural punks” form a powerful pact to always be good, always tell the truth and, above all, always stick together when the going gets tough – especially when the going gets tough – in the form of bullying, sick parents and loneliness.

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Lanternhouse may lack the unique charm and quirky character of the ramshackle on the hill – sorry, the cottage in Kildrum – but with its state-of-the-art facilities, modern design and central location, it’s a wonderful addition to the Scottish theatre scene and a great example to neighbouring councillors in Falkirk who recently kicked the can of a new Arts Centre into the long grass of petty party politics – on the grounds of parking!

Holy Thundercats, as the girls would say.

Speaking of whom: Amy Helena narrates with great heart and humour as the endearing LJ; her expressive signing complimented by funky captions on Alisa Kalyanova’s gang hut-cum-pop concert set upon which The Mystery Machine nail Novasound’s poptastic tunes. Rosalind McAndrew and Chiara Sparkes provoke a plethora of titters as the famished Tuck and soothsaying Scarlett, respectively. And Julia Murray makes an impressive professional debut as the dashing Robin, strutting and slinking like a young Debbie Harry whose iconic hit provides her with the perfect response to my opening question “Who ya gonna call?” Call Me!

Peter Callaghan
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