It will be like taking a step back in time when the Lambton Young Theatre Players stage their latest production, Robin Hood.

Set in 1195, the play, written by Sarnia-native Anna MacAlpine, aims to bring a glimpse of the Middle Ages to the local stage in a retelling of the famous legend.

Director Nancy Keys says MacAlpine spent a lot of time studying the period to make sure the play, while a comedy, accurately reflects the time period.

And the recreation of the Middle Ages has been meticulous. Keys researched clothing of the time. “Believe it or not, there are actually remnants of clothing from the Middle Ages that still exist …in bits and pieces,” says Keys. “It has been found on bodies that they have unearthed in some of the bogs in the UK – not only are the bodies in one piece, but so is the fabric because of the alkaline in the bog.”

Keys says the researches came up with a basic pattern – basically a T shaped tunic – which most peasant clothing for men and women used.

“We built all the peasant costumes on this pattern,” she says adding they have also stuck with linen and wool – the two fabrics most likely to be used by the peasant population. “There were no dyes for peasants because it was too expensive so everything was either grey or beige or light grey…We’re being very careful to make the costumes as true to the time period as possible.”

While it makes for a great history lesson, some of the young players were not overly impressed during the first fittings. Costumes for the groups production are usually quite colourful and many were disappointed to see they would be “wearing a sack.”

But after the initial reaction, Keys says the young people were quite interested in why people would wear this type of clothing. “Why so many layers? Well, they didn’t have the weather proofing and they were living in drafty houses…people weren’t washing their clothes on a regular basis, neither did they have any clothes which they could change.”

Keys says the only young actors excited about their costumes this time around are the main characters which will have more colourful attire. “But no peasants will have colour, they couldn’t afford the dye.”

The Lambton Young Theatre Players Robin Hood school matinees will be May 13 through 15. There will also be public showings of the play at the Sarnia Library Theatre.

 

Share This

Image
Front Page

Wyoming’s Jackson taken by Yankees in MLB Draft

July 14, 2025

The Independent Core Jackson may be headed to the Big Apple. The Wyoming native was selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees on Monday afternoon. Jackson has played college baseball at the University of Utah for the past two years. He slashed .364/.445/.641 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, and 20 stolen bases

Read More

Image
Front Page

Information and Privacy Commissioner orders Petrolia to release 2021 letter from mayor banning town councillor

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Nearly four years, after Petrolia Mayor Brad Loosley banned a councillor from attending in camera meetings, the town has been forced to release the letter spelling out his reasons. In June 2022, while investigating a Code of Conduct complain against the mayor for the release of confidential information to The Independent, the investigator found Loosley had banned

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flyers sign veterans, Flags go with youth

July 13, 2025

Barry Wright/The Independent The Petrolia Flyers have reached into east Lambton for a pair of players for the coming season. Alvinston’s Joey Hayter and Ty Moffatt of Watford are both joining the PJHL team. Hayter, 19, has played the past two seasons with the Blenheim Blades including scoring 15 goals and adding 31 assists in 51 regular season and playoff

Read More

Image
Front Page

Killer Bees’ Feasey to coach Maroons

July 12, 2025

Barry Wright/The Independent Alvinston Killer Bees star Brennan Feasey is the new head coach of the Sutherland Cup champion Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The new job came about after Richard Santos left the Maroons this week to become the new head coach of the U16 boys prep team with Biosteel Sports Academy in Windsor and

Read More