Blackadder II

Andy Roberts as Director, made the wise decision to use some of his favourite episodes of this well-loved tv series, thus ensuring that he understood what would be needed to create a successful production. We watched 3 very funny stories which were created by mini scenes which zipped along. He managed to use lots of different areas of the stage and auditorium to give us multiple locations and there were some cross-overs to create the passage of time. Andy described how so many people auditioned that he was able to make the cast as large as possible and this helped the audience experience a real team feel. I was pleased to see the cast starting to act before the lights came up or the curtains fully opened.

Paul Winspear led the team confidently as the cynical, conniving Edmund Blackadder. He had good comic timing but could have been louder at times. Jack Stevens was an excellent Lord Percy. He showed great physicality and had real charm in his eagerness and unfortunate lack of intelligence. I had no problem with a female actor being cast as Baldrick as Amy Neal completely looked the part with her unhygienic subservience. Unfortunately I did not always hear all of her lines. Laura Martin gave us a Queenie that was both playful and psychotic and she delivered her lines with glee. Nursie, Gemma Colton, had a great laugh and just the right amount of naughtiness. Granville Rush grew into the part of Lord Melchett after a reserved start.

Holly Featherstone had some excellent facial expressions in the dual role of Bob/ Kate and John Quick revelled in the unwholesome and unholy Bishop of Bath and Wells. Richard Pink gave us a suitably over the top Lord Flashheart and I really enjoyed Jonathan Whitmore’s Mad Beggar. It would have been the icing on the cake if he’d been able to mime all of the words to the 3 closing themes, but he knows how to work an audience. All of the smaller roles were played with 100% conviction. Well done everyone.

The clever set was designed and built by the company. The black and white style worked well for Blackadder’s house and then was cleverly turned for the dungeon. The Palace was suggested by appropriate furniture and props. The scene changes were slick but there were moments when the cast couldn’t find the gap in the curtains, a stagehand or costumed herald would have helped avoid this.

There were minimal props but they were appropriate and no more were needed. My favourites were the hot poker, the table top sea battle and the arrow between Baldrick’s legs, complete with a perfect sound effect.

The costumes were well thought out and looked good. The jewellery and wigs added more, as did the dirt and warts where appropriate and some of the cast showed their commitment by growing their own beards!

The period music had been chosen well, I liked the fact that other than the theme tune we didn’t hear the same piece twice. The lighting worked well to ensure the audience could see each of the acting areas.

Thank you Water Lane Theatre Company, we were warmly welcomed by the creative team and thoroughly enjoyed a funny and successful production.

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