Blackadder 11

Thank you so much for inviting us to report on your recent production of the stage adaptation of this memorable television show.  I notice in the programme that you were fortunte enough to have a meeting with  “Baldrick” himself (Tony Robinson), which I imagine was good fun as well as helpful.  The tricky parts of reproducing a TV show live on stage are in creating suitable characters for the main roles and devising  how to move between scenes without the benefit of the cutting room. In this production, both these aspects were very well planned and worked well most of the time. 

The stage design was well thought through, and created a good variety of acting spaces, such as Blackadder’s kitchen alongside Queenie’s room, and the cellar for the drinking competition. This worked particularly well when the action moved between the two scenes. Later, the use of two sets of steps front of stage gave a very convincing way that people could pass and ‘not see each other’ during the drinking party.  There were many small touches that worked together well to create the atmosphere of mild chaos in Blackadder’s home.

The lighting was very effective in being well cued and changes were subtle when required.  The division. Of the stage into two acting areas was defined beautifully by the lighting rig. The use of film on the screens each side of the stage was very ingenious, and most effective in covering some of the scene changes. This mix of live and film performances was very effective and added to the continuity of the show.

The sound was very well handled, with prompt cues and effective music in setting the scenes, as well as using the TV theme music. The introduction of the minstrel, complete with mandolin, was really good!

The costumes were magnificent!  They helped to create the authentic charcters from the show, and made them all instantly recognisable.  Here, casting was very well done, as each character matched the TV progamme completely, enhancing the expectation of the audience to the full. 

However, it was the performances of the actors and the creation of their characters that made the script of the show come alive and provided such an entertaining evening: 

Blackadder:  the central character around  which the plots revolve, was excellently depicted as a cynical bully, dominating his less intelligent household, while currying favour from the Queen at court.  An outstanding performance with many hilarious scenes.

Baldrick:   the hapless butt of Blackadder’s scathing comments.  Well portrayed as being dim but willing to please, always bouncing back with useless advice.  An excellent foil to Blackadder.

Lord Percy:  well portrayed as stupid and snobbish, he wished for a greater friendship with Blackadder but was not bright enough to recognise he was being used.  A good depiction which brought laughter to the scene.

Queenie:  excellently depicted as being childish, spoilt and capricious but with total authority.   She brought great fun to the part, particularly in her interactions with Nursie.  A fine performance.

Melchett:  well played as a pompous and obsequious self-serving courtier, toadying to the Queen and seeing Blackadder as a rival, particularly in the comical drinking party scene.  A good performance.

Nursie:  well portrayed as a semi-senile old dear, tactlessly reminding Queenie of her long-ago childhood.  An excellent interaction between them with comedy and laughs.

Other parts were played with great humour, particularly Bob and the formidable Lady Whiteadder and all contributed hugely to a fun-packed, most enjoyable evening.

Altogether this was a very good production that brought back good memories of the TV programmes, and generated much hilarity. Once more, this society has  succeded in bring to life the individual characters, showing their interactions and relationships very clearly, and creating a very amusing evenng of theatre. Congratulations to you all!

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