Post by Lucy of Ravenscar on Mar 6, 2021 16:17:19 GMT
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Robin of Sherwood Audio adventure
The Meeting Place
Original Audio Release Date: 10th December 2018
Novelisation release Date: 4th March 2020
(This episode guide covers the expanded elements of the story in the novelisation as well as the basic story in the audio).
Written by Jennifer Ash
Story
One wet April morning, Much is on his way to meet a villager from Papplewick to buy some apples and to provide them with some tax money stolen back from the Sheriff’s tax collectors. It is raining heavily, Much is thoroughly soaked through and is not best pleased with his task.
He is to meet the person in a special secluded meeting place, deep within Sherwood Forest. Much sits down in a small clearing and waits. He soon notices the approach of a red-haired girl who also seems equally indignant at being sent on such a trivial task as delivering apples. Struggling with the heavy sack, she is startled by Much who steps out of the shadows to offer her help.
The girl is surprised that Much knows her name and is embarrassed when he reveals that he heard her speaking her name whilst trudging through the undergrowth towards him. After checking that Kate was not followed by soldiers, they both relax and become better acquainted. Kate is new to the village after she and her father moved there and he became head villager, replacing David of Papplewick who was killed, along with his family, by Gisburne. Much offers to teach Kate the ways of the forest, to be able to move quietly, hide from soldiers and climb out of sight quickly and safely. Kate is keen to know more about the exploits of the outlaws but cannot linger for long and arranges to meet Much again in a month's time in the same place.
Meanwhile in Nottingham Castle the Sheriff is smarting from another loss of tax money due to the exploits of Robin Hood. He insists that Gisburne count the tax money and he is taken aback when Gisburne claims that he recognises a coin from the last time he counted it. Realising that this could be a way to prove that the villages accept money from the outlaws, Gisburne starts to purposely mark coins, and plans to let Robin Hood steal them. He notes that the coin he recognised was collected from Papplewick, suspecting that they still deal with the outlaws.
It is May, and Much is again on his way to meet Kate at their meeting place. Kate asks Much about what he does with the outlaws and Much tells her that he helps keep the outlaws safe and offers to teach her how to move quietly in the forest. Kate is obviously impressed with Much's skills and Much seems pleased to have an admirer.
De Rainault and Gisburne are setting up the trap where soldiers carrying a cart of marked coins will be ambushed by Robin Hood to provide proof of him aiding the local villagers.
Robin and the others are a little puzzled by the ease of the capture of the tax money. Nasir speculates that perhaps they are dividing the tax delivery money along two routes, with Robin thinking that perhaps the Sheriff is reluctant to lose too many soldiers escorting tax money.
On a bright summer's day in June Much looks forward to meeting Kate once more. Despite not specifically mentioning Kate he is still teased by Little John about her. Upon meeting, they talk about Robin Hood and how he is the Earl of Huntingdon's son. Much also has a message for Kate’s father, warning him that Gisburne will be touring the villages of Sherwood soon. Exchanging a bag of tax money for a bag of herbs, it is obvious Much and Kate have feelings for each other, but Much becomes embarrassed and rushes away, promising to meet again the following month.
Upon returning to the outlaws Marion asks Much about Kate and he answers with a short reply that’s she's fine. Marion reassuringly pats him on the shoulder then glares at the other outlaws indicating that any teasing of Much about Kate should stop.
In Nottingham Gisburne explains that he is playing the long game, waiting for marked money to come back to them in tax will take some time. The Sheriff is impatient and concerned that he will have to replace all the defaced coins, or he'll be in trouble with the King.
In Sherwood, Tuck expresses concern about the smaller amount of money that they've been able to steal. Much is worried in case there won’t be enough money to pass on to Papplewick and as a result won’t have his monthly rendezvous with Kate. Robin assures them all that there will be just enough money to give every village for their taxes. Deep down however, Robin suspects the Sheriff and Gisburne are up to something and tries to make sense of it all as they go to sleep. As Robin stares at the leaves above him, he hears a message from Herne; “Nothing easily won is worth the battle. Lay down the bow to find the marks.”
One day in July Kate walks into Sherwood accompanied by her father William of Papplewick. William notes how often she talks of Much and wishes that she listened to him as much as this outlaw friend of hers. Kate tries to quieten him, fearful of the prospect of foresters. Much is already at the meeting place and was about to greet Kate warmly when he notices the presence of her father and stops short. William explains that Gisburne came to the village a few days ago, looking for money and terrorising the village, at which Much becomes angry at the prospect of Kate being hurt. Kate reassures Much that she is fine. William repeats that he just wants to keep everyone safe, and so they will not have any more to do with the outlaws. He says that although they thank Robin for his efforts and are not ungrateful, they will not be taking any more money. William then grabs Kate despite Much’s protests and head back to Papplewick leaving a very frustrated outlaw.
The following month Much waits in vain for Kate. In the outlaw’s camp the night before, Scarlet had argued with Robin, stating that some villages weren't worth helping. Angry at Will trying to stop him going to see Kate, Much drew a knife on him which surprised the whole group. Little John asked Much if he wants to talk about it, but Much declined and walked to the edge of the encampment to cool off. Some minutes later Marion joined Much with a bowl of stew and tried to put him at ease, explaining that she understood his feelings for Kate and his need to see her and check if she and her father were safe.
In the last few days of summer Kate is at the meeting place desperate to see Much. After hearing some disturbing footsteps, she is heartily relieved when Much greets her. She breaks down as she reveals that her father has disappeared after a trip to Nottingham some time ago. In addition, the village had been visited by Gisburne who had taken their food, and they are all hungry. Much gives her some food and heads back to camp.
Much shares Kate’s news with the others and reveals Gisburne said that her father had been taken as he could prove he had used stolen money to pay the villages taxes, which concerns Robin immensely. They plan to send the village some food and try to find out what has happened to William.
The next day the outlaws get information that William is imprisoned in Nottingham. They also meet Harold, an isolated, drunk solider. He has deserted his service with Gisburne and the Sheriff due to their reckless use of soldiers in their recent deliveries of tax money. Plying him with drink Robin queries him about the movement of the tax money and Harold reveals that there will be a late winter tax collection.
Robin works out that William will be taken to Newark for trial as de Rainault will be holding the Hundred Court there. He thinks that Gisburne will take him via Papplewick to intimidate the villagers and that’s where they will get him back.
The plan is set and as Gisburne brings his prisoner through the village Robin springs his trap. Keeping the villagers out of sight and instructed not to give the soldiers any trouble, the outlaws loose some arrows and shout at Guy that since the villagers have caused them so much trouble they were their prisoners. Gisburne says why should outlaws take innocent villagers prisoner, to which Robin replies that if the villagers are innocent why is one of them trussed up on his cart? A fight ensues and a guard grabs Kate with a knife to her neck. However, a volley of arrows thins the ranks of Gisburne’s soldiers. Gisburne is swiftly overcome and is stripped and bound and sent on his way to Newark.
The leaves are turning to gold and starting to fall when Much meets Kate again. Kate thanks Much profusely for the rescue of her father from the soldiers' clutches. Much praises Kate too for escaping from a soldier. Kate explains that the Sheriff suspected Papplewick of paying taxes with stolen money as they paid promptly. Much says he was glad Kate wasn’t hurt as he wouldn’t know what he would do if she was. Kate replies with a short kiss to which Much blushes. Kate shivers from the autumnal cold and Much offers to hug her to keep her warm, they both sit quietly huddled together watching the falling leaves in a blissful silence.
It is a cool winter morning at camp as the outlaws are dividing out the money to give to the villagers. Robin is concerned about the ease of getting the tax money. He is also troubled about Herne’s message of easy victories and feels somehow it must relate to Gisburne claiming he can prove Papplewick is paying with stolen tax money. Much mentions a trap and Robin considers that perhaps the trap isn’t for the outlaws but the villagers they are trying to help. Robin urges them all to be careful as they try and find out what ‘proof’ Gisburne is talking about.
Much heads off to the meeting place and is ambushed by Kate as she jumps from a tree, with a ‘boo!’ Much praises her for being quiet and asks what is in the sack, to which she answers cabbages. Much grimaces at this prospect as it tends to make Tuck smelly, and they both laugh. Kate then asks if she could have another hug, to which Much obliges.
December brings a chill to the meeting place, so Much waits for Kate with some blankets. He is surprised instead when William arrives with the news that Kate is suffering from a fever. Much says he will fetch Marion and see what they can do for Kate and the other ill villagers. Robin sends Marion and Tuck to help and asks John to take Much fishing as a distraction. Much asks John about Meg and if he misses her when they are apart. John explains that she is safer in Wickham, and Much realises that Kate can never be with him.
Early in the new year Kate bursts into the meeting place, a lot thinner but well and smiling. She thanks Much for sending Marion and Tuck for helping her and villagers through the illness. Much is a little disgruntled as he wished it was he that did the helping and the saving. To which Kate responds with a squeeze of his hand and replies that it was him who had saved her by getting help. Snuggling together Much recounts his time with Loxley and how Robin sacrificed himself to save both himself and Marion. Kate says that Loxley would have been proud of his actions.
A few weeks later whilst about to ambush another of the Sheriff's tax shipments Robin is still trying to make sense of Herne’s warning. The cart approaches with minimal protection and as soon as the outlaws appear the guards and Gisburne abandon their charge. The box of money is half empty confirming Robin’s suspicions, and they return to camp. Feeling the coins, Robin finds the scratches Gisburne made and fully understands his plan.
Much has already left to find Kate and finds her dodging some soldiers. They hide up a tree as the soldiers search through the forest below. The soldiers find Kate's sack and Much escorts Kate back to Papplewick discreetly.
In Nottingham the Sheriff gloats as he sees that nearly all the coins collected from Papplewick are marked. Gisburne wants to arrest them all at once, but the Sheriff halts him saying that they will plan this very carefully as the capture of Robin Hood and his outlaws is not going to go wrong.
One March evening, William despairs as Gisburne and a company of soldiers ride into Papplewick. Gisburne punches William to the ground and demands that Kate shows herself otherwise he will kill him. After torturing another villager, Gisburne accuses Kate of colluding with an outlaw and taking stolen money from him and he can prove it. He throws Kate to the floor and then rides off with his men.
Tuck has been gathering information. He tells Robin that the Sheriff is gathering a force to deal with the villages that help them, and Robin shows him the marked coins. There is also news of a wealthy silk merchant on his way to Nottingham that Robin thinks will be useful.
Much and Kate meet once again at a new meeting place. Kate is upset and Much is angry at her treatment by Gisburne. He wonders why Gisburne didn’t take Kate after accusing her and realises that he is trying to trap the outlaws. Kate reveals that she and her father are leaving to go to Derby to stay with his sister. Much is upset that Kate may be going away as he confesses that he has never had feelings like this before. Before they part, they have a final cuddle.
Nasir returns from a secret visit to Papplewick after swapping the marked coins for clean ones. The outlaws then find the silk merchant and get Tuck to distract his guards while Nasir and Robin swap the merchant’s coins with the marked ones. Nasir, Will and John take the clean money on to the various villages and the merchant continues on his way to Nottingham where he has an appointment with the Sheriff.
Much tells the others that Kate and William are moving to Derby. Robin understands this is the only way they'll be safe, though Much’s heart is broken. Much then realises that Harold inadvertently mentioned the new route for the tax money and Robin is impressed that he's worked this out.
Back in Nottingham, the Sheriff is in a fearful rage, he has discovered the coins the merchant paid for his fee to trade in Nottingham all bear marks, thus destroying any case he had against the villagers.
One year after first meeting Kate, Much finds himself back at their meeting place. He is not expecting anyone as Kate and her father will be safely in Derby now. It is raining heavily, and Much is annoyed at how Robin says he will get over the loss of Kate. As he turns to leave, he notices a bundle on the floor - it is Kate! As she mutters that she came back and mentions soldiers it is obvious that she is badly wounded. Much cradles Kate as she murmurs that she’s cold and tells her it’s alright, they are together in their special place. Birds sing as Kate closes her eyes and Much murmurs, "Kate? My Kate…"
Little John leads the party on their way up to Derby. Will is quiet in his own thoughts as Marion comforts Much with his loss. Much recounts his exchanges with Kate and everything they have done. William receives them all, thanking them for the return of his daughter. Much expects William to be angry at him, but instead he just hugs him saying “ I am glad she knew love. I just wish..”
On their way home Much apologises to Scarlet for pulling a knife on him. To which he replies I would have done the same. Nasir also has some words for Much. “Anger, strength, compassion. You had all three before but now you understand what they truly mean." Responding to Nasir’s words Much says Kate helped him to remember a promise he had made, and Robin, speaking with a voice not his own, says "Nothing is Forgotten Much, Nothing is ever forgotten."
Review
The Meeting Place, the story of which was based upon an idea from Barnaby Eaton Jones, is an interesting departure from the rest of the productions from Spiteful Puppet. Rather than the typical episodic format where the story just covers a few days or weeks, The Meeting Place spans a whole year, starting from a wet April morning and concluding about a year later. The episode was offered as an extra due to some delays of some other audios being released, but the story has lots to offer in terms of plot and detail. Credit is due to Jennifer Ash for creating such an interesting expansion for Much, an often overlooked character!
The audio episode focuses on Much and his meetings with Kate of the nearby village of Papplewick as a series of monthly vignettes. Initially their meetings start off as a series of transactions but within a short time their feelings grow and love blossoms. The initial aim of easing the village tax burdens by reimbursing them the tax money, backfires as Gisburne has a scheme of marking the coins to see who benefits from the outlaws' activities. Upon suspecting that it’s the villagers of Papplewick Gisburne applies brutal tactics to punish them, by taking their food, trampling their crops and physical assault.
Much and the rest of the outlaws get drawn into the troubles of Papplewick, helping them through sickness and starvation and eventually finding out how Gisburne has marked the coins and swapped Papplewick’s stash of marked coins with clean money, removing them from the Sheriff’s notice and dumping the tarnished loot onto a hapless silk merchant. Despite this Kate’s father, fearing for their long-term future and his daughter’s safety, decides to move to Derby and stay with family. Unfortunately, Kate encounters some soldiers on the way to her final meeting with Much and is fatally wounded, tragically dying in his arms a year after their first meeting.
The story demonstrates how far Much has developed as a character compared to how we first see him in Robin Hood and the Sorcerer, something that was emphasised throughout the third series as the character grew older and more experienced (The Meeting Place is set towards the end of series three). Although not an accomplished swordsman such as Nasir or Scarlet he can still hold his own in a fight, and he has become an expert at surviving as an outlaw in the forest. This audio gives us something that we never saw in the show though, the chance for him to find love. Scarlet and John always seem to have an eye for the ladies (and in Lord of the Trees Nasir has his hands full with two of them!), but here Much has the first opportunity to flirt with a girl, albeit in an innocent, safe kind of way. By the end of the story Much suffers a great loss, but he comes through and becomes all the stronger for it. He also strengthens his relationship with the other outlaws in the process especially Marion and John who can empathise with his situation.
The format of the audio, with the story spread out over a year but focused around the two main characters at the meeting place, is very effective. Peter Llewellyn Williams does an excellent job of recapturing the sound, accent and feel of the young Much, particularly considering that he has moved out of acting in the years since the show was broadcast. He has to carry a lot of exposition and he makes the dialogue seem smooth and natural, obviously helped by the excellent writing. Sheila Ham strikes exactly the right note as the sweet and kind Kate, making the perfect first love for Much, and Barnaby Eaton-Jones rounds out the minimal cast nicely.
The audio story upon first listen does seem to end very abruptly leaving the listener shocked and left with the question of what next? The way it ends, falling silent after Much’s final plaintive call to Kate is very emotional and it is a big shock having become used to this appealing character throughout the story.
The novelisation, released some time after the audio, spreads the story out spacially, showing us what is happening outside Much and Kate's meeting place. It details the scheming of the Sheriff and Gisburne to track down the missing coins stolen by the outlaws and expands on the healing of Kate and other villagers from a sickness, the rescuing of Kate’s father, the interrogation of Papplewick village as Gisburne tries to find out how the money is making its way back to the villagers and the duping of a silk merchant with the swapping of his good money for the coins marked by Gisburne. It also contains an epilogue following Kate’s death where the other outlaws collect Much and journey to Derby to Kate’s father to deliver her body for burial. This section is particularly welcome as it gives some closure to the sad events of the story. Obviously, this scene couldn’t be done as part of the audio due to constraints with actors, but this scene certainly fills out the story nicely and leaves the character of Much in a more pleasant situation. It must be remembered that this was an extra ‘titbit’ to the other audios.
The Meeting Place is a delightful extra piece of the RoS audio collection and when listening to it first time around it definitely left a lump in my throat. I recommend reading the book as well to get the full depth of the story. If done as a televised episode I suspect this story would be perhaps as popular as the Greatest Enemy in terms of emotional appeal. It certainly has a fond place in my heart as it stands.
Cast
Much - PETER LLEWELLYN WILLIAMS
Kate - SHEILA HAM
William of Papplewick - BARNABY EATON-JONES
Sound Design: Joseph Fox
Soundtrack: Arpeggio Creative
Script Editor: Barnaby Eaton-Jones
Produced & Directed by Barnaby Eaton-Jones
Episode Guide written by Dennis of Ravenscar, edited by Lucy of Ravenscar
Images are from various episodes of RoS and The Last Kingdom
Robin of Sherwood Audio adventure
The Meeting Place
Original Audio Release Date: 10th December 2018
Novelisation release Date: 4th March 2020
(This episode guide covers the expanded elements of the story in the novelisation as well as the basic story in the audio).
Written by Jennifer Ash
Story
One wet April morning, Much is on his way to meet a villager from Papplewick to buy some apples and to provide them with some tax money stolen back from the Sheriff’s tax collectors. It is raining heavily, Much is thoroughly soaked through and is not best pleased with his task.
He is to meet the person in a special secluded meeting place, deep within Sherwood Forest. Much sits down in a small clearing and waits. He soon notices the approach of a red-haired girl who also seems equally indignant at being sent on such a trivial task as delivering apples. Struggling with the heavy sack, she is startled by Much who steps out of the shadows to offer her help.
The girl is surprised that Much knows her name and is embarrassed when he reveals that he heard her speaking her name whilst trudging through the undergrowth towards him. After checking that Kate was not followed by soldiers, they both relax and become better acquainted. Kate is new to the village after she and her father moved there and he became head villager, replacing David of Papplewick who was killed, along with his family, by Gisburne. Much offers to teach Kate the ways of the forest, to be able to move quietly, hide from soldiers and climb out of sight quickly and safely. Kate is keen to know more about the exploits of the outlaws but cannot linger for long and arranges to meet Much again in a month's time in the same place.
Meanwhile in Nottingham Castle the Sheriff is smarting from another loss of tax money due to the exploits of Robin Hood. He insists that Gisburne count the tax money and he is taken aback when Gisburne claims that he recognises a coin from the last time he counted it. Realising that this could be a way to prove that the villages accept money from the outlaws, Gisburne starts to purposely mark coins, and plans to let Robin Hood steal them. He notes that the coin he recognised was collected from Papplewick, suspecting that they still deal with the outlaws.
It is May, and Much is again on his way to meet Kate at their meeting place. Kate asks Much about what he does with the outlaws and Much tells her that he helps keep the outlaws safe and offers to teach her how to move quietly in the forest. Kate is obviously impressed with Much's skills and Much seems pleased to have an admirer.
De Rainault and Gisburne are setting up the trap where soldiers carrying a cart of marked coins will be ambushed by Robin Hood to provide proof of him aiding the local villagers.
Robin and the others are a little puzzled by the ease of the capture of the tax money. Nasir speculates that perhaps they are dividing the tax delivery money along two routes, with Robin thinking that perhaps the Sheriff is reluctant to lose too many soldiers escorting tax money.
On a bright summer's day in June Much looks forward to meeting Kate once more. Despite not specifically mentioning Kate he is still teased by Little John about her. Upon meeting, they talk about Robin Hood and how he is the Earl of Huntingdon's son. Much also has a message for Kate’s father, warning him that Gisburne will be touring the villages of Sherwood soon. Exchanging a bag of tax money for a bag of herbs, it is obvious Much and Kate have feelings for each other, but Much becomes embarrassed and rushes away, promising to meet again the following month.
Upon returning to the outlaws Marion asks Much about Kate and he answers with a short reply that’s she's fine. Marion reassuringly pats him on the shoulder then glares at the other outlaws indicating that any teasing of Much about Kate should stop.
In Nottingham Gisburne explains that he is playing the long game, waiting for marked money to come back to them in tax will take some time. The Sheriff is impatient and concerned that he will have to replace all the defaced coins, or he'll be in trouble with the King.
In Sherwood, Tuck expresses concern about the smaller amount of money that they've been able to steal. Much is worried in case there won’t be enough money to pass on to Papplewick and as a result won’t have his monthly rendezvous with Kate. Robin assures them all that there will be just enough money to give every village for their taxes. Deep down however, Robin suspects the Sheriff and Gisburne are up to something and tries to make sense of it all as they go to sleep. As Robin stares at the leaves above him, he hears a message from Herne; “Nothing easily won is worth the battle. Lay down the bow to find the marks.”
One day in July Kate walks into Sherwood accompanied by her father William of Papplewick. William notes how often she talks of Much and wishes that she listened to him as much as this outlaw friend of hers. Kate tries to quieten him, fearful of the prospect of foresters. Much is already at the meeting place and was about to greet Kate warmly when he notices the presence of her father and stops short. William explains that Gisburne came to the village a few days ago, looking for money and terrorising the village, at which Much becomes angry at the prospect of Kate being hurt. Kate reassures Much that she is fine. William repeats that he just wants to keep everyone safe, and so they will not have any more to do with the outlaws. He says that although they thank Robin for his efforts and are not ungrateful, they will not be taking any more money. William then grabs Kate despite Much’s protests and head back to Papplewick leaving a very frustrated outlaw.
The following month Much waits in vain for Kate. In the outlaw’s camp the night before, Scarlet had argued with Robin, stating that some villages weren't worth helping. Angry at Will trying to stop him going to see Kate, Much drew a knife on him which surprised the whole group. Little John asked Much if he wants to talk about it, but Much declined and walked to the edge of the encampment to cool off. Some minutes later Marion joined Much with a bowl of stew and tried to put him at ease, explaining that she understood his feelings for Kate and his need to see her and check if she and her father were safe.
In the last few days of summer Kate is at the meeting place desperate to see Much. After hearing some disturbing footsteps, she is heartily relieved when Much greets her. She breaks down as she reveals that her father has disappeared after a trip to Nottingham some time ago. In addition, the village had been visited by Gisburne who had taken their food, and they are all hungry. Much gives her some food and heads back to camp.
Much shares Kate’s news with the others and reveals Gisburne said that her father had been taken as he could prove he had used stolen money to pay the villages taxes, which concerns Robin immensely. They plan to send the village some food and try to find out what has happened to William.
The next day the outlaws get information that William is imprisoned in Nottingham. They also meet Harold, an isolated, drunk solider. He has deserted his service with Gisburne and the Sheriff due to their reckless use of soldiers in their recent deliveries of tax money. Plying him with drink Robin queries him about the movement of the tax money and Harold reveals that there will be a late winter tax collection.
Robin works out that William will be taken to Newark for trial as de Rainault will be holding the Hundred Court there. He thinks that Gisburne will take him via Papplewick to intimidate the villagers and that’s where they will get him back.
The plan is set and as Gisburne brings his prisoner through the village Robin springs his trap. Keeping the villagers out of sight and instructed not to give the soldiers any trouble, the outlaws loose some arrows and shout at Guy that since the villagers have caused them so much trouble they were their prisoners. Gisburne says why should outlaws take innocent villagers prisoner, to which Robin replies that if the villagers are innocent why is one of them trussed up on his cart? A fight ensues and a guard grabs Kate with a knife to her neck. However, a volley of arrows thins the ranks of Gisburne’s soldiers. Gisburne is swiftly overcome and is stripped and bound and sent on his way to Newark.
The leaves are turning to gold and starting to fall when Much meets Kate again. Kate thanks Much profusely for the rescue of her father from the soldiers' clutches. Much praises Kate too for escaping from a soldier. Kate explains that the Sheriff suspected Papplewick of paying taxes with stolen money as they paid promptly. Much says he was glad Kate wasn’t hurt as he wouldn’t know what he would do if she was. Kate replies with a short kiss to which Much blushes. Kate shivers from the autumnal cold and Much offers to hug her to keep her warm, they both sit quietly huddled together watching the falling leaves in a blissful silence.
It is a cool winter morning at camp as the outlaws are dividing out the money to give to the villagers. Robin is concerned about the ease of getting the tax money. He is also troubled about Herne’s message of easy victories and feels somehow it must relate to Gisburne claiming he can prove Papplewick is paying with stolen tax money. Much mentions a trap and Robin considers that perhaps the trap isn’t for the outlaws but the villagers they are trying to help. Robin urges them all to be careful as they try and find out what ‘proof’ Gisburne is talking about.
Much heads off to the meeting place and is ambushed by Kate as she jumps from a tree, with a ‘boo!’ Much praises her for being quiet and asks what is in the sack, to which she answers cabbages. Much grimaces at this prospect as it tends to make Tuck smelly, and they both laugh. Kate then asks if she could have another hug, to which Much obliges.
December brings a chill to the meeting place, so Much waits for Kate with some blankets. He is surprised instead when William arrives with the news that Kate is suffering from a fever. Much says he will fetch Marion and see what they can do for Kate and the other ill villagers. Robin sends Marion and Tuck to help and asks John to take Much fishing as a distraction. Much asks John about Meg and if he misses her when they are apart. John explains that she is safer in Wickham, and Much realises that Kate can never be with him.
Early in the new year Kate bursts into the meeting place, a lot thinner but well and smiling. She thanks Much for sending Marion and Tuck for helping her and villagers through the illness. Much is a little disgruntled as he wished it was he that did the helping and the saving. To which Kate responds with a squeeze of his hand and replies that it was him who had saved her by getting help. Snuggling together Much recounts his time with Loxley and how Robin sacrificed himself to save both himself and Marion. Kate says that Loxley would have been proud of his actions.
A few weeks later whilst about to ambush another of the Sheriff's tax shipments Robin is still trying to make sense of Herne’s warning. The cart approaches with minimal protection and as soon as the outlaws appear the guards and Gisburne abandon their charge. The box of money is half empty confirming Robin’s suspicions, and they return to camp. Feeling the coins, Robin finds the scratches Gisburne made and fully understands his plan.
Much has already left to find Kate and finds her dodging some soldiers. They hide up a tree as the soldiers search through the forest below. The soldiers find Kate's sack and Much escorts Kate back to Papplewick discreetly.
In Nottingham the Sheriff gloats as he sees that nearly all the coins collected from Papplewick are marked. Gisburne wants to arrest them all at once, but the Sheriff halts him saying that they will plan this very carefully as the capture of Robin Hood and his outlaws is not going to go wrong.
One March evening, William despairs as Gisburne and a company of soldiers ride into Papplewick. Gisburne punches William to the ground and demands that Kate shows herself otherwise he will kill him. After torturing another villager, Gisburne accuses Kate of colluding with an outlaw and taking stolen money from him and he can prove it. He throws Kate to the floor and then rides off with his men.
Tuck has been gathering information. He tells Robin that the Sheriff is gathering a force to deal with the villages that help them, and Robin shows him the marked coins. There is also news of a wealthy silk merchant on his way to Nottingham that Robin thinks will be useful.
Much and Kate meet once again at a new meeting place. Kate is upset and Much is angry at her treatment by Gisburne. He wonders why Gisburne didn’t take Kate after accusing her and realises that he is trying to trap the outlaws. Kate reveals that she and her father are leaving to go to Derby to stay with his sister. Much is upset that Kate may be going away as he confesses that he has never had feelings like this before. Before they part, they have a final cuddle.
Nasir returns from a secret visit to Papplewick after swapping the marked coins for clean ones. The outlaws then find the silk merchant and get Tuck to distract his guards while Nasir and Robin swap the merchant’s coins with the marked ones. Nasir, Will and John take the clean money on to the various villages and the merchant continues on his way to Nottingham where he has an appointment with the Sheriff.
Much tells the others that Kate and William are moving to Derby. Robin understands this is the only way they'll be safe, though Much’s heart is broken. Much then realises that Harold inadvertently mentioned the new route for the tax money and Robin is impressed that he's worked this out.
Back in Nottingham, the Sheriff is in a fearful rage, he has discovered the coins the merchant paid for his fee to trade in Nottingham all bear marks, thus destroying any case he had against the villagers.
One year after first meeting Kate, Much finds himself back at their meeting place. He is not expecting anyone as Kate and her father will be safely in Derby now. It is raining heavily, and Much is annoyed at how Robin says he will get over the loss of Kate. As he turns to leave, he notices a bundle on the floor - it is Kate! As she mutters that she came back and mentions soldiers it is obvious that she is badly wounded. Much cradles Kate as she murmurs that she’s cold and tells her it’s alright, they are together in their special place. Birds sing as Kate closes her eyes and Much murmurs, "Kate? My Kate…"
Little John leads the party on their way up to Derby. Will is quiet in his own thoughts as Marion comforts Much with his loss. Much recounts his exchanges with Kate and everything they have done. William receives them all, thanking them for the return of his daughter. Much expects William to be angry at him, but instead he just hugs him saying “ I am glad she knew love. I just wish..”
On their way home Much apologises to Scarlet for pulling a knife on him. To which he replies I would have done the same. Nasir also has some words for Much. “Anger, strength, compassion. You had all three before but now you understand what they truly mean." Responding to Nasir’s words Much says Kate helped him to remember a promise he had made, and Robin, speaking with a voice not his own, says "Nothing is Forgotten Much, Nothing is ever forgotten."
Review
The Meeting Place, the story of which was based upon an idea from Barnaby Eaton Jones, is an interesting departure from the rest of the productions from Spiteful Puppet. Rather than the typical episodic format where the story just covers a few days or weeks, The Meeting Place spans a whole year, starting from a wet April morning and concluding about a year later. The episode was offered as an extra due to some delays of some other audios being released, but the story has lots to offer in terms of plot and detail. Credit is due to Jennifer Ash for creating such an interesting expansion for Much, an often overlooked character!
The audio episode focuses on Much and his meetings with Kate of the nearby village of Papplewick as a series of monthly vignettes. Initially their meetings start off as a series of transactions but within a short time their feelings grow and love blossoms. The initial aim of easing the village tax burdens by reimbursing them the tax money, backfires as Gisburne has a scheme of marking the coins to see who benefits from the outlaws' activities. Upon suspecting that it’s the villagers of Papplewick Gisburne applies brutal tactics to punish them, by taking their food, trampling their crops and physical assault.
Much and the rest of the outlaws get drawn into the troubles of Papplewick, helping them through sickness and starvation and eventually finding out how Gisburne has marked the coins and swapped Papplewick’s stash of marked coins with clean money, removing them from the Sheriff’s notice and dumping the tarnished loot onto a hapless silk merchant. Despite this Kate’s father, fearing for their long-term future and his daughter’s safety, decides to move to Derby and stay with family. Unfortunately, Kate encounters some soldiers on the way to her final meeting with Much and is fatally wounded, tragically dying in his arms a year after their first meeting.
The story demonstrates how far Much has developed as a character compared to how we first see him in Robin Hood and the Sorcerer, something that was emphasised throughout the third series as the character grew older and more experienced (The Meeting Place is set towards the end of series three). Although not an accomplished swordsman such as Nasir or Scarlet he can still hold his own in a fight, and he has become an expert at surviving as an outlaw in the forest. This audio gives us something that we never saw in the show though, the chance for him to find love. Scarlet and John always seem to have an eye for the ladies (and in Lord of the Trees Nasir has his hands full with two of them!), but here Much has the first opportunity to flirt with a girl, albeit in an innocent, safe kind of way. By the end of the story Much suffers a great loss, but he comes through and becomes all the stronger for it. He also strengthens his relationship with the other outlaws in the process especially Marion and John who can empathise with his situation.
The format of the audio, with the story spread out over a year but focused around the two main characters at the meeting place, is very effective. Peter Llewellyn Williams does an excellent job of recapturing the sound, accent and feel of the young Much, particularly considering that he has moved out of acting in the years since the show was broadcast. He has to carry a lot of exposition and he makes the dialogue seem smooth and natural, obviously helped by the excellent writing. Sheila Ham strikes exactly the right note as the sweet and kind Kate, making the perfect first love for Much, and Barnaby Eaton-Jones rounds out the minimal cast nicely.
The audio story upon first listen does seem to end very abruptly leaving the listener shocked and left with the question of what next? The way it ends, falling silent after Much’s final plaintive call to Kate is very emotional and it is a big shock having become used to this appealing character throughout the story.
The novelisation, released some time after the audio, spreads the story out spacially, showing us what is happening outside Much and Kate's meeting place. It details the scheming of the Sheriff and Gisburne to track down the missing coins stolen by the outlaws and expands on the healing of Kate and other villagers from a sickness, the rescuing of Kate’s father, the interrogation of Papplewick village as Gisburne tries to find out how the money is making its way back to the villagers and the duping of a silk merchant with the swapping of his good money for the coins marked by Gisburne. It also contains an epilogue following Kate’s death where the other outlaws collect Much and journey to Derby to Kate’s father to deliver her body for burial. This section is particularly welcome as it gives some closure to the sad events of the story. Obviously, this scene couldn’t be done as part of the audio due to constraints with actors, but this scene certainly fills out the story nicely and leaves the character of Much in a more pleasant situation. It must be remembered that this was an extra ‘titbit’ to the other audios.
The Meeting Place is a delightful extra piece of the RoS audio collection and when listening to it first time around it definitely left a lump in my throat. I recommend reading the book as well to get the full depth of the story. If done as a televised episode I suspect this story would be perhaps as popular as the Greatest Enemy in terms of emotional appeal. It certainly has a fond place in my heart as it stands.
Cast
Much - PETER LLEWELLYN WILLIAMS
Kate - SHEILA HAM
William of Papplewick - BARNABY EATON-JONES
Sound Design: Joseph Fox
Soundtrack: Arpeggio Creative
Script Editor: Barnaby Eaton-Jones
Produced & Directed by Barnaby Eaton-Jones
Episode Guide written by Dennis of Ravenscar, edited by Lucy of Ravenscar
Images are from various episodes of RoS and The Last Kingdom