Blackadder Goes Forth

In this centenary year of the First World War, it is no surprise that there are a large number of commemorative productions on display. Amongst the performances of ‘Oh What A Lovely War’ and ‘Journeys End’ you will find a significant showing for Richard Curtis’s and Ben Elton’s comic masterpiece, Blackadder Goes Forth. This television spin-off dates back to 1989 and, putting aside my slight prejudice against impersonation pieces, I was delighted to take my seat at Dereham Memorial Hall for Director Paul Woodhouse’s selection of three episodes.

The titles that made the final cut were “Major Star” “General Hospital” and “Goodbyeee”, the third being the very last of the series and indeed the dynasty. The story of each needs no retelling save to say that in “Goodbyeee”, the cast find themselves contemplating “going over the top” to certain death. It was chilling, tragic and enormously poignant on television and although the dark humour of the trenches in the first two episodes would be enjoyable, this production (along with all others) would be judged by the ending.

The Director had decided to go for out and out impressions of the original stars, Rowan Atkinson; Tony Robinson; Hugh Laurie; Stephen Fry et al with most of them falling a little short. Baldrick however was fair and Captain Edmund Blackadder was hair-raisingly accurate in looks, sound and actions which gave an added authenticity to the entire production. Of the supporting cast there were nice cameos from Phil Sherwood as Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig; Lisa Appleby as Bob (clearly a girl) Parkhurst and Colin Harris in top form as Brigadier Sir Bernard Proudfoot-Smith. I especially enjoyed the ever impressive Lavinia Pirret as raunchy nurse Mary Fletcher-Brown with another carefully measured performance.

In the leads Lee Chapman worked tirelessly as Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh, putting every ounce of his strength into his mimicry of Hugh Laurie, and Tony Wilds made a nice job of old soldier psychopath, General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett getting many of the best laughs. Also getting his fair share of the humour was Andy Lofthouse as Private S. Baldrick, the impression was not fantastic but with a very accurate costume and some competent acting Mr Lofthouse managed to pull it off, offering a perfect foil to the other lead characters. I have only really seen Gareth Evans doing high comedy, and generally to great effect, but as Captain Kevin Darling, he showed remarkable self-control in a predominantly straight role that served as the antidote to a lot of the comic mayhem. I thought his work in this production was amongst his best, in a part that is far more important that most people realise and, although few will go home with Captain Darlings name on their lips, his fine performance enabled the others to shine.

I save the penultimate paragraph for Lee Johnson as Captain Edmund Blackadder. A mountain of dialogue all delivered flawlessly and a long series of very similar gags that he kept alive until almost the end. The likeness to Rowan Atkinson was uncanny, and the way he delivered his lines was quite captivating. There was just a slight suspicion that the lines and the impersonation impeded his acting but even if that were the case this production needed this performance.

Congratulations to Kevin Jude, Dave Filer and Haydn Rogers for a stunning set and to Viv Soddy for co-ordinating some amazing costumes (Khaki Devil Ltd). The lighting was unspectacular but not inappropriate with sound that was delivered without incident by Emotive Sound And Light Ltd.

My compliments to debutant Director, Paul Woodhouse for a tidy and extremely solid piece of direction and for marshalling a cast that were 100% confident with their lines and ready for the stage on opening night.  My only (minor) criticism would be that there was nothing new in this production and it felt a little over-safe throughout. This was most manifest by the all-important ending which, in contrast to the televised original, left me flat.

Thank you Dereham for another great night’s entertainment.

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