Blackadder Returns

A year ago Axminster Drama Club entertained the audience very successfully with scenes from Blackadder and this year with a very similar cast they presented Blackadder Returns.  It would seem to be as popular as ever because even on a Saturday night, there was an almost full house. 

One of the joys and also the problems of bringing to the stage a well-known tv programme is that the audience has certain expectations, they prefer it to be a close copy of the original.   This Axminster Drama Club was able to achieve without sacrificing their own artistic input.

The casting had been well considered with full regard being given to the ability of the actor to take on and almost inhabit the persona from the script.  Characterisation was superb and there was no difficulty in recognizing who they were.  There were many splendid performances.  The timing of the gags and interpreting that iconic humour was spot on and the pace was just right.  The relationships between the characters were just as we remembered them.  

Personal mics were used but there were a number of interruptions to the sound quality.  This venue is tricky for sound but I wonder if the actors could have managed without them.

Blackadder has many shortish interlinked scenes and it was staged in a way that allowed the smooth movement from one scene to another without breaking the flow.  Part of the stage was Blackadder’s house and other parts were Queenie’s chamber and so on. Lighting was used to good effect to divide one acting area from the other. The set was constructed by their own skilled team in their own building. Although this was done at zero cost using recycled flats and so on nothing was sacrificed in the way of design or finished effect.   The episodes used were from two different eras so there were numerous costumes.  Again, all the costumes were made, on a shoestring budget, by their incredible wardrobe department.  The costumes were superb, but especially imposing was Queenie’s costume.  The design and construction of this was an amazing achievement.  The overall effect was very impressive.  So many departments of the club were involved in producing this wonderful evening of entertainment.  Theatre is a little like an iceberg or a duck on a river – everything above the surface is calm, organised and accomplished whilst below the surface there is so much activity.

Watching a production such as this I can’t help but think what fun the rehearsals must have been.  Many thanks to Axminster Drama Club for providing your audience with an opportunity for so much laughter.  A very pleasing result.

 Joyce

 

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