Rufus Hound is to star in a new stage musical based on Sir Tony Robinson’s hit children’s TV series Maid Marian and Her Merry Men.

He will be playing King John alongside Bronté Barbé – who was Kathy in Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder – in the title role.

Comedian Vikki Stone has written the book, music and lyrics, her latest musical theatre venture following the likes of Hey Duggee Live, Cinderella & Aladdin for The Lyric Hammersmith and Alice In Wonderland for the Liverpool Everyman Playhouse.

She said: 'I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be writing Maid Marian. It was one of my absolute favourite kids TV shows in the ‘90s, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with comedy legend Sir Tony Robinson on this wonderful show.’

The stage musical has been two years in the making and  is described as being ‘packed with outrageous songs, wild slapstick, and razor-sharp wit…smart, silly, and gloriously subversive.’

Producer Thomas Hopkins said: ‘I’m beyond excited to bring one of my all-time favourite childhood TV shows to life as a brand new British family stage musical. 

‘Tony’s hit BBC TV show Maid Marian and Her Merry Men was a huge part of my growing up, and to reimagine it now for the stage, with such an exciting team of creatives and a dream cast is a real honour. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the magic and mayhem we’ve created together in this new musical.’

Natalie Casey – who was Carol Groves in Hollyoaks  and Donna Henshaw in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps – plays the Sheriff of Nottingham with Mateo Oxley, who was recently Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, as Robin Hood.

This cast will present the show, as directed by Benji Sperring, to the theatre industry at a special performance at the end of next month, before details of a full production are announced. 

Maid Marian and Her Merry Men ran for four series on BBC One from  November 1989 to February 1994. Robinson, who is an executive producer on the new stage show, played the Sherrif with Kate Lonergan as Maid Marian and Danny John-Jules as Barrington.