In this year’s pantomime Robin Hood at The Capitol theatre in Horsham, Mark Irwin is making his professional pantomime debut playing the titular character of Robin Hood, which opens on Saturday 22nd November until Sunday 4th January 2026. Mark works closely with a cast including Georgia Bradshaw as Maid Marian, Gina Murray as The Sherrif, Jack North as Little John and Katie Pritchard as Friar Tuck, and tickets are currently available on The Capitol Horsham’s website. Since 2021, Mark has been in the cast of various productions of The Choir of Man, including in Australia, where he performed at Sydney Opera House, and the US, and he joined the West End cast in 2022 as Swing before taking over the role of The Barman. Previous projects for Mark include the international tour of The 12 Tenors, and he made his West End debut as Ensemble/Swing as well as cover James in The Commitments, which was directed by Jamie Lloyd, at the Palace Theatre. Chatting with Mark, he told us about what he’s looking forward to for playing Robin Hood at The Capitol theatre over the festive period, performing in The Choir of Man for a number of years and his time in The Commitments for his West End debut.

Later this year, you will be starring as Robin Hood in The Capitol’s pantomime, what are you most looking forward to for performing in Horsham and opening on 22nd November?

I’m really looking forward to this, as it’s my first-ever professional pantomime. It’ll be a joy to work alongside such a talented group of performers and I can’t wait to experience the festive buzz – a lovely change, as I’m usually away for Christmas.

What do you think Robin Hood will be like to play and what can audiences expect from your portrayal?

I think it will be fun to play him. He’s such an iconic character, there’s so much scope to bring my own spin to him, especially with a touch of Irish flair and humour thrown in. I imagine he’ll be playful, cheeky and full of heart – a hero who doesn’t take himself too seriously but always has his friends’ backs.

Audiences can expect plenty of laughs with a little bit of mischief from a Robin who’s ready to save the day… in his own unique way!

Have you seen Robin Hood as a pantomime before?

No, I’ve never seen it done as a pantomime before but I can’t wait to see how we bring the Robin Hood story to life on stage!

How will you prepare for this year’s run and what was it like reading the script for the first time?

I’ll be focusing on really learning the material inside out and keeping my voice in top shape for the full run of shows. Reading the first draft of the script was a real thrill – it gave me such a buzz knowing rehearsals are just around the corner and that everything’s about to come to life.

How do you think you will find the experience interacting with the pantomime audience?

I can’t wait to get into the wonderful energy you only find in pantomime. The audience interaction is what truly brings the show to life – it’s what I remember most from performing in pantos years ago. There’s nothing quite like the laughter, the cheers and the playful back-and-forth that makes every performance unique.

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Robin Hood in Horsham this Christmas?

Panto is such a feel-good tradition, especially at Christmas. It’s the perfect way for families to come together, switch off from everything else and just laugh, sing along and soak up the festive spirit. Plus, where else are you going to see an Irish Robin Hood? What’s not to love?!!

Since 2021, you have been part of numerous productions of The Choir of Man, what are some of your stand-out highlights from working on the show over the years?

The Choir of Man is a really special show that’s given me so much over the past few years. A definite highlight was performing at the Sydney Opera House – one of those real pinch-me moments.

Was there anything that drew you to The Choir of Man and how was it joining the West End cast in 2022, having previously toured Australia and the US?

Honestly, I didn’t know much about it at first – a friend mentioned auditions were happening in Dublin, so I gave it a go and the rest is history! Joining the West End cast was the perfect next step. After so much time touring, it was lovely to settle down for a couple of years and really live in the show without packing a suitcase every week.

What was it like playing The Barman in London and what do you miss most about performing in the production?

I absolutely loved it. I started my Choir of Man journey as The Romantic, then played The Hardman in Korea, before joining the West End as a Swing covering several roles including The Joker and The Barman. When the Barman role became available early in the run, I stepped into it and stayed for two years. It’s such a rewarding part full of heart and connection and I really miss that sense of camaraderie with the cast and audience.

Can you tell us about your time touring internationally with The 12 Tenors?

I toured with the show twice, each for six months, across Germany and parts of Europe. It was my first big tour after graduating, so I learned a huge amount about life on the road. We performed in some incredible venues, including the Philharmonic Opera House in Berlin – that was unforgettable.

How was it performing as Ensemble/Swing and covering James in The Commitments (directed by Jamie Lloyd) at the Palace Theatre and do you have any favourite memories from making your West End debut that you can share?

That was my first West End job and it remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I spent two years in a theatre steeped in history, learning so much about the craft and working alongside incredible talents like Killian Donnelly, Ian MacIntosh and Jamie Lloyd. It was also a joy to be part of an Irish musical with such a proud Irish cast – it felt like home.

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get started in the industry?

Growing up – our house was always loud with music. Both Mam and Dad come from musical families so singing was just natural to me. I trained as a classical singer for 10 years in Ireland before moving to London to study musical theatre, which opened up a whole new world.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

Oh I always find this one hard to answer as it changes all the time! Right now it would be Hamilton. The music is so catchy. I really want to see Hadestown and Cabaret. So they are next on the list.

How do you like to spend your free time?

My partner’s also in the industry, so when we do get downtime, I like to slow things right down – go for walks, discover great little independent coffee shops (I’m a bit of a coffee snob!) and unwind with some gaming. It’s the best way to completely switch off and recharge.

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