My early fandoms: Robin of Sherwood

[vivdunstan]

I thought it might be nice to do a series of blog posts about fandoms I engaged with at a very early stage. I was born in the early 1970s, so as a youngster particularly enjoyed TV from the late 1970s through to the early 1990s.

First up it's Robin of Sherwood, the ITV version of the legend that aired from 1984-1986. I loved this: an intoxicating mix of myth, folklore, magic, action and romance. All in gorgeous countryside too. And made even better with a soundtrack by Irish folk group Clannad. Just fab stuff. Though I'm very much more of a fan of the first Robin incarnation played by Michael Praed. I struggled when Jason Connery took over. It was rather similar to how I felt when Romana regenerated in Doctor Who, even if I did get used to it.

In terms of organised fandom I was a member of Forest, a Robin of Sherwood fan club based in Glasgow, Scotland, that existed from 1986-1988. I never attended any events in person, but got a regular fanzine through the post. I also entered their competitions, and won a script from "The Swords of Wayland", signed by series creator and writer Richard Carpenter. My original prize went missing in the post, but when I queried it later Richard (or "Kip") sent me a replacement himself.

It was many years before I saw Robin of Sherwood again after the series ended. I am part way through a rewatch again now (it's on Britbox, and there is a Blu-ray release). It's still magic. The best TV or film version of the Robin Hood legend for me. And absolutely a product of the 1980s.

Comments

[kadenza]

Woo! Lots of interesting textiles in that pic. 👀

[vivdunstan]

The design teams on the show put a lot of work in. Though I can't comment on how accurate the costumes were to the historical time.

[purplecat]

Robin of Sherwood is definitely one of the fandoms of my heart and it always disappoints me slightly that the most prolific fanfic author on AO3 is mostly interested in Guy of Gisburne when my interest is much more the outlaws themselves and their dynamics.

I think you weren't the only one who struggled with Jason Connery. His acting style was quite stilted and, although it feels mean to say so, I suspect he was cast more for the publicity value of being the son of a famous father then because they thought he had the acting chops to carry the role. Maybe they thought that the rest of the ensemble sufficiently talented that they could go for the celebrity angle - but you really need a strong actor for Robin in something like this. You've got to believe the others would follow him.

[vivdunstan]

I haven't read RoS fanfic in a very long time, since the 80s. I should probably check it out, though bearing in mind your words. The outlaws are more interesting for me too. I definitely found Jason Connery cardboard like in acting early on. But from a distance now I think if I'd seen him without the earlier actor I'd have been more accepting. Not in the same league acting wise, but made much harder by following someone strong.

[purplecat]

Then again would it have had the same success without Michael Praed? I don't think he was the strongest actor in the ensemble but he definitely brought something to the dynamic while, I don't know, I often felt the others were acting around rather than with Connery - if you take my meaning.

[vivdunstan]

Yup I was thinking similarly after my post. Who knows now. At least we got all the content we got. Even if it was shorter than it was hoped to be.