5th October 2021
Adapted by Matthew Hope from the BBC tv series. Directed by Matthew Hope and Sean Burnside
It’s good to be back, to be back it’s good as one deceased entertainer once uttered. What better way to do my first review in 18 months than Blackadder the 2nd at the majestic People’s theatre. A good pick after the success of Blackadder the 4th which was way back in pre covid times of, I’m going to say 2019.
Many actors from the previous production return, including Blackadder actor Sam Hinton and Baldrick actor Tony Sehgal both putting in stellar performances, reminiscent of the original actors of the TV show Tony and Ronan. Returning to steal the show was Jake Wilson Craw doing a bish bash bosh version of rik mayall's Flashheart. Percy was also played well by Ben Ostell, who I believe was also in the previous Blackadder, in a very weasley idiotic portrayal of the baffoon.
The stage was decorated very well, with several tables, a throne and a veranda. Portraying the period the series was set effectively. The play was made up of three episodes of the Ben Elton and Richard Curtis sitcom, following Blackadder as he got into ever descending levels of hi jinx. Catherine White was brilliant as the queen elizabeth the 1st, reminding me of the great original performance of Miranda Richardson.
There was a great bit where in a passionate scene the two actors in question got caught up in each other's clothes, in what must have been unplanned as the audience grounded the performance to a halt, with laughter and cheers, Another reminder of the joy that only live theatre can bring, marvelous.
There were some good sound effects and pyrotechnics, some nice panpipe music (yes really) in the break and before the performance. There was an interesting bard who sang different lyrics that matched the lyrics of the outro in the tv episodes. There was a veranda scene that worked well on stage.
Overall the production was very well put together and provided the audience with some much needed belly laughs after the last twenty months we have all had. I for one am glad to be back!
The show runs from the Wednesday 6th - Saturday the 9th of October 2021
Frank Cromartie Murphy
No comments:
Post a Comment