Robin from the hood

A Tomboy Maid Marian and a lisping, Monty-Pythonesque Prince John are two of the alternative humorous offerings in this lively, intelligent version of the Robin Hood story, which hits the bull's-eye in inventive entertainment for children over six.

The Caird Company carries its young audience back to the medieval mayhem of the conflict between the evil Prince John, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Robert of Loxley (aka Robin Hood). Directors Jack Holloway and Steven Little have created a show where punchy songs punctuate an impressively undumbeddown account of Robin Hood's fight against corrupt wealth, his merry men's encounters with a symbolic Christian white stag, and the return to the throne of Richard the Lionheart.

All of which is richly laced with rib-shaking humour both for adults and children. There are the whoopee-cushion effects when someone sits down on a pile of rags that turns out to be Friar Tuck; or the moment when an enemy of Robin discovers he has a pole stuck up his nose. For slightly older children, the self-consciously theatrical introduction, where, for instance, one actor explains that he will play "the whole Sheriff 's army, and a dog", should prove a harbinger of the tongue-in-cheek narrative to come.

The major innovation in this production, though, is Maxine Peake's gutsy Maid Marian, who whips out her sword to show what an excellent swordswoman she is. "Ah couldn't fit the long-bow under me dress," is her only comment when Robin expresses surprise that she can fight so well - thereby proving girlpower is alive and well in Sherwood Forest.

An experimental section where puppets narrate the tale of Herne the Hunter could be pacier, but tricks of staging, such as wooshing arrow effects in the archery contest, are a wonderful introduction to games inherent in any truly theatrical production.

The audience's enthusiasm for participation proved alarming when the Sheriff of Nottingham cried: "Is there anyone who will help me hang this man?" and two little boys shot their hands in the air. None the less, this is a charming entrèe to the intrigues of Sherwood Forest. Parents will find it a bracing alternative to pantomime. Until 4 January. Box office: 020 7452 3000.

Robin Hood: Caird Company