Blackadder Goes Forth

There are a number of plays around which are based on well-loved TV comedies such as Fawlty Towers, Vicar of Dibley, Allo! Allo! and Hi de Hi. This can be a challenge for any society purely down to the fact the audience already have their preconceived ideas of the characters that are about to be portrayed on stage before them. On a warm Saturday night in June I was not disappointed,and the players of Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Company met this challenge head on with great success.

This play was three sketches from the fourth series of the BBC TV series of the same name.  It is set in the trenches in World War One and the trials and tribulations of the title character Edmund Blackadder. In the title role was Darren Williams who came across well as Blackadder having clearly worked extremely hard on emulating the depiction originally portrayed by Rowan Atkinson.  He was ably supported by the dim-witted Baldrick who was played by Steve Grist. It was good to see the spot-on comic timing as the hapless sidekick.

Lieutenant George was played by Josh Hindle and General Melchett by Matt Whatley. Both actors performed their roles with gusto and certainly had me in stitches throughout the 3 sketches they performed. Theirdelivery of lines was clear and the mannerisms they developed really added to the depths of the characters they played – they were a pleasure to watch.  Alongside them Riz Riley joined as Captain Darling who gave a confident performance and some touching lines in the final scene before the “big push”. 

The supporting roles of Flashheart, Bob, Righthoven/Haig and Von Gerhardt were played by Chris Williams, Holly Fairburn, Ken Horsfield and Andy Bell respectively. There performances were strong and complemented the scenes well supporting bringing out all the comedy.

I cannot go through the review without mentioning the production team and a special mention to Rosemary Osbourne who directed this performance extremely well gaining what was in my opinion the best from this group of actors. The diction was great and the roller coaster of emotions I experienced whilst watching was down to pulling the best from the script and getting this out to the audience. The lighting and set design was superb and this added to the whole experience. I was really impressed with how the stage and the orchestra pit was used to create the trench which added to the emotional “big push” at the end where they went over the top. The excellent lighting from Stevan Manley complemented this superbly.

The icing on the cake which ended an entertaining evening at the theatre was the commemoration of the men that fell in Colne during “The Great War”. Fitting nicely with the 100 year anniversary. The names of these soldiers being displayed on stage whilst “The Last Post” played on the trumpet was moving and perfect accompaniment to this excellent production. Bravo!

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