Ahead of Robin Hood at Mayflower Theatre, Ashley Banjo reveals plans for new Diversity choreography, reflects on past panto memories and explains why Southampton audiences keep bringing the company back.
Diversity’s third panto at Mayflower Theatre
I think one of the things that keeps bringing Diversity back is the audiences and the theatre itself. Honestly, it’s such an incredible venue. When you get that many people inside a space like that, somewhere we can deliver big routines, with a huge stage and loads of production opportunities, it has a real magic about it. It means you can fulfil your panto ambitions in a way that perhaps you can’t elsewhere.
Southampton always has great energy, and it’s somewhere we’ll always say yes to
We’re so grateful for it because, when you combine that with the pantomime, it gives Mayflower Theatre a really unique feel that we’ve come to love.
New choreography created just for Robin Hood
Can audiences expect any signature Diversity choreography in Robin Hood? Absolutely! It’s one of the things we’ll never let slip and something that makes our pantomimes so unique. There’ll be our big routines, tricks and flips, as well as the way we use props – things we wouldn’t normally get to use in a Diversity stage show.
We’re also introducing some new material this year. As it’s our third time back, we’ll be heading into the studio to work on some never-before-seen tricks and combinations specifically for the show. I’m really looking forward to that.
Audiences can expect a traditional take on pantomime and Robin Hood, but one that’s been absolutely levelled up with a very non-traditional twist! Just because Diversity is involved, don’t expect it to lose all the things you know and love about panto. Instead, it has all of those elements and so much more.
We performed Robin Hood in Wimbledon last year, and I love the fact that we came up with so many ideas during that run that we didn’t get the chance to include because we were already mid-show. Bringing Robin Hood to Southampton gives us the opportunity to go back into the studio, rework things and create a refreshed version, with all the experience we’ve gained from last time. I’m genuinely looking forward to it.
What makes a Diversity pantomime different?
Performing in a panto is unlike anything else that Diversity and I do. Obviously, there are elements that are the same: you’re on a stage, you have an audience and you’re performing big set pieces. But what sets panto apart is the tradition of pantomime itself – the scripts, the writing, the comedy routines, the way you interact with an audience and the fact that it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Panto is so much fun. Even after doing it for nearly a decade, we still laugh every single time. I think that energy, fun and panto spirit, mixed with the more traditional, full-on Diversity moments, creates a really unique formula and a really unique pantomime.
I’ve enjoyed success in lots of different roles throughout my career, but stepping into a pantomime role brings many of those skills together. You have to work with the audience – you don’t necessarily have to host, but you use those skills in a different way. We’re performing scripted scenes, acting, singing, doing full-on dance numbers and comedy.
Panto draws on so many of the skills I’ve learned over the years and wraps them all up into one fun-filled Christmas bow!
The biggest challenge of balancing comedy, acting and dancing is remembering it all! You’ve got to switch between all the different things, using different skill sets for each one. Learning the pacing, remembering all the dance moves, learning the scripts and remembering exactly where you’re supposed to be at any given moment can definitely be a challenge.
Ashley Banjo's favourite Mayflower memory
One moment that always sticks with me is climbing the beanstalk. Not that I’ve told anybody this, but I’m not a massive fan of heights! So climbing that beanstalk up into the roof every day was a bit of an adrenaline rush and something I certainly haven’t forgotten.
Photo from Mayflower’s 2024 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk credit Stuart Martin.
Inspiring the next generation of performers
Diversity has inspired so many young people to dance. What do you hope children take away from Robin Hood this Christmas?
Diversity has inspired a lot of people, particularly young people, which I’m incredibly proud of. I don’t always think about it until I speak to young people and look around at people who potentially weren’t even born when Diversity won Britain’s Got Talent, but who are now dancers, some even professional dancers. The fact that we’ve inspired people and changed lives is a really humbling feeling.
I love the idea that a child might come along to the pantomime this year, whether with their school or family, have a laugh and a great time, but also leave feeling inspired. It would be fantastic if they were inspired to dance, but more than anything, I’d love them to feel inspired to be creative – whether that’s through dance, theatre, music or singing. That idea is one of the most important things to me and another reason I love doing panto.
Summed up in three words, Robin Hood is unique, fun, special!
- Venue Mayflower Theatre
- Dates 12 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
- Genre Family pantomime
- Age suitability Recommended 3+
- Running time Approx. 2 hours
- Prices From £19.50
