Black Adder II

As with all well-known and loved TV series the audience expect the actors to emulate not only the characterisation, but also the storylines and Rotherham Rep did not disappoint.                                                                                                              The play covers three different episodes: “Head”, “Beer”, and “Chains”.

Black Adder II was well directed with a brilliant cast, and it was obvious that lot of hard work had gone into this from everyone involved. It was lovely to see an open stage with a very impressive                                                                                        Tudor-style set complete with straw covering the floor. The costumes were stunning and accurately matched the characters. The seventeen-strong cast gave excellent character interpretation,                                                                                           a good pace, diction, and projection with the dialogue. 

With lengthy and complex dialogue Shaun Machale gave an outstanding performance as the ever-scheming Lord Edmund Blackadder throughout the many different scenes. Likewise, Roger Hazelwood as the                                                            not-so-bright Baldrick caused mayhem at every opportunity. Blackadder’s other thorn in his side is the aristocratic fool, Lord Percy (Jack O’Boyle) and Jack gave a first-class performance with gestures to match                                                            the character. Danny Hastie’s performance as Lord Melchett was particularly good. Yvette Sayles perfectly portrayed the lisping Queen Elizabeth, and her performance and characterisation were spot-on                                                                . Debbie Evans gave a wonderful performance as the Queen’s Nursie with all the correct mannerisms to match.  

More cast members then became involved as the storyline moved through the three episodes. In the first episode, “Head”, the executioner mistakenly signed his own death warrant leading to Edmund being made royal executioner.                              Gaoler & Mrs Ploppy ran the jail and Lady Farrow was no doubt relieved to learn of her husband’s pardon. In “Beer,” Edmund had planned a high-stake drinking contest with his friends Simon Partridge, Geoffrey Piddle and                                    Freddie Frobisher only to find out that his very puritan aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Whiteadder, were coming to stay on the same night. The final episode, “Chains”, saw Blackadder and Melchett kidnapped by the demented                              Prince Ludwig, assisted by the Torturer and Guard. However, it did all work out well in the end   .  All eleven actors appearing in the three episodes were excellent in their various roles.

Everyone involved with this production, the directors, production team, actors and those behind the scenes must be congratulated on making this a first-rate and very hilarious production.

Thank you for the invite and an evening full of laugher enjoyed by myself and the audience  

 

 

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