Maid Marian live stage show in development

Thursday 25th January 2018, 1:41pm

Tony Robinson is writing a stage version of Maid Marian And Her Merry Men
The childrens' sitcom was a hit with children and adults, retaining cult status
Robinson is penning the new show with co-stars and fellow writers David Lloyd and Mark Billingham

Actor and writer Tony Robinson has revealed that he is developing a stage show of Maid Marian And Her Merry Men.

The children's sitcom quickly became a favourite amongst both children and adults when it debuted on BBC One in 1989, and retains cult status.

Robinson - who both created and wrote the series, as well as starring as the Sheriff of Nottingham - announced that he is writing a script for a potential live version with co-stars David Lloyd and Mark Billingham (all pictured, above).

Lloyd and Billingham played the Sheriff's useless henchmen, guards Graeme and Gary (respectively) in the series. Billingham enjoys a successful career as a crime novelist, whilst Lloyd has written extensively for television, including BBC soaps Casualty and Doctors.

The trio previously collaborated on the first episode of the sitcom's fourth series, Tunnel Vision.

British Comedy Guide understands that the live stage project is in "very early days" of development, and as such no further information is currently available, nor stars or potential venues yet attached.

The original sitcom's cast comprised of Kate Lonergan in the titular role, with Adam Morris as Robin, Danny John-Jules as Barrington, Mike Edmonds as Little Ron, and Howard Lew Lewis as Rabies. EastEnders star Kellie Bright also had a recurring role in early series as a small child.

The news comes in the same week as Lewis's death, aged 76. He had suffered ill health in recent years, including the loss of a leg to diabetes, and a stroke.

Robinson spoke at length to British Comedy Guide late in 2016 about the series, which is available to own as a complete DVD box set.

Here is the iconic closing theme tune from the series.

Maid Marian And Her Merry Men - Special Edition

Shun your Shakespeare, chuck away your Chaucer, destroy your DVDs of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle! You've got to make shelf space for the complete box set of Maid Marian And Her Merry Men. Never has so much fun and lunacy been crammed into one small cardboard container. If you tried to squeeze in even one more tiny joke, it would squash the others so badly they'd jump out and run home crying to their mummies.

Marvel at the relatively young Tony Robinson's hilarious cavortings in the days before he started digging holes in the mud; watch the hysterically laid back Danny John-Jules, gasp at incredible six foot chickens, listen rapt to tales of volcanoes that spew forth mauve custard, and run away terrified from snailiens from outer space.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be sick into a small paper bag and still come back for more...honest!

All four series of the hit show are included, with a whole pile of extras.

First released: Sunday 21st September 2008