Writing “Miss Robin Hood and Her Merry Band of Thieves”; an Interview with Noreen K. Brandt.

By Steven LaVigne

In 2017, Corcoran Park Players, a community theater organization since 1982, reorganized, updating our mission with a focus on classic theater (specifically Public Domain classics) and original scripts. Since then, as Classics Lost ‘N’ Found Theater Company, 21 original scripts have been produced, while 13 classics have joined our repertoire (including one, soon to be two, revivals). This summer, we’ll see the revival of two original plays, Noreen K. Brandt’s “Miss Robin Hood and Her Merry Band of Thieves,” and an expanded version of Gregory Bastien’s comedy, “Macbeth-the Oppositional King,” presented at Fast Fest in 2024. They’ll be produced under the umbrella title “Heroes and Villains.” Here’s what Noreen Brandt had to say about her work: “Annually, Classics Lost ‘N’ Found Theater Company does an outdoor summer show, and I wanted to write something for that venue which would be lively, entertaining, with lots of action and strong characters, especially in the women’s roles. “The legend of Robin Hood had the sort of action I was looking for.

I rewatched a lot of the classic movies and miniseries, including Mel Brooks’ “Robin Hood: Men in Tights!” I then decided my script needed a “hook” – something that would make it different from other versions, and of course, that “hook” became changing Robin Hood and his gung-ho macho merry men into women. “The premise was still the same – downtrodden common folk being threatened by an evil Sheriff, with gleeful masked avenger thwarting his plans. Maid Marian became Robin’s younger sister (and a love interest to a poor village boy), while the familiar characters of Robin Hood’s companions in crime – Will Scarlet, Little John, and Friar Tuck – morphed into Scarlett, Little Joan, and Tuck (all young women eager for adventure).

“When I write, I’ll do the research first, then I plot out as much as I can before I start writing. I hardly ever write scenes in exact order — I work on whatever scene appeals to me at that time. For this play, as I went along, I added more characters – the Sheriff’s bumbling Henchmen, a snooty rich Lord and Lady (in contrast to the plainspoken villagers), and a nomad singer who’d also narrate. The show also has music and dancing. I write the lyrics, and my musical director, Coral Bastien, who is a frequent collaborator, writes either original music, or finds fitting music in public domain.

“It’s easier for me to write when I become attached to the characters, even the evil ones! The hardest thing for me in writing is to decide the “voice” of the characters, such as the evil Sheriff and lordly King Richard, the angry but motivated Miss Robin Hood, all have different motivations, attitudes and backgrounds. If I can find that attitude for all my characters – and hit all the necessary plot points — the writing will come.”

The show opens Friday, July 10 and continues July 11, 17 and 18 at 7pm with matinees July 11 and 18 at 2pm. (In case of rain, performances will be moved to Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, 1620 E. 46th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406). For further information phone 612-724-4539 or check the website, classicslostnfoundtheater.org.