Written by Iain Meadows and Jennifer Ash, creative director Barnaby Eaton-Jones

Out Now on Download, Spiteful Puppet  (https://spitefulpuppet.com/)

Nothing’s ever forgotten…again.

When I heard that one of my favourite programmes of all time – and my preferred reworking of the Hooded Man mythos – Robin of Sherwood was returning as a full cast audio drama last year, I was very excited to say the least. I was even more delighted when I realised the finished thing, The Knights of the Apocalypse, was an adaptation of creator Richard Carpenter’s script for a potential TV return. As a follow up to that, Spiteful Puppet are now producing a series of audio stories read by members of the cast set at different points within the show. A terrific way to continue the tales of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws.

In the tale sent for review, ‘The Blood That Binds’ – ably read by Nickolas Grace (who played the Sheriff of Nottingham back in the ’80s) – we find ourselves in the time period just after Robert of Huntingdon has taken over the mantle of our legendary hero. During a raid on a cart carrying tax money through Sherwood, the Sheriff is injured – hit by a stone from Much’s slingshot, which causes him to fall from his horse and bang his head. He is taken to a nearby village to recover, and when he wakes the Sheriff appears to be a changed man – giving away money and letting off villagers who have smuggled away venison. “You’re guilty!” he tells them, then switches to a gentler tone: “Guilty of being hungry…”

Of course, there’s more to it than that – an evil force has been directing things from behind the scenes in an effort to oust the Sheriff from his position of power. And, pretty soon, some of Robin’s Merry Men are in mortal danger once more – causing him to form quite an unusual alliance.

If you’re a fan of the TV series, you won’t be disappointed by this addition to the canon. In fact I could very easily picture this as an episode of the show; a testament to the storytelling ability of writer Iain Meadows coupled with Grace’s skill at narration to get across the ‘visuals’, not to mention the sound effects and music (I still get a chill when I hear that theme tune). Other tales in this series include: ‘The Templar’s Promise’ also by Meadows, read by Friar Tuck himself, Phil Rose: ‘The Waterford Boy’ written by Jennifer Ash and read by Judi Trott (Maid Marion); and ‘Mathilda’s Legacy’ also by Ash, and read by Michael Craig (the Earl of Huntingdon). And all for only £5.99 each.

The perfect Christmas present for the Robin Hood fan in your life, or just a present to yourself. Great fun!

Verdict: Let it live in your heart… 9/10                     

Paul Kane