Blackadder The Elizabethan Years

Blackadder The Elizabethan Years

Created by Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton and John Lloyd

And based on Series II of the original BBC Television Series

Performed by Exeter Little Theatre Company

At The Barnfield Theatre, Exeter on 6th March 2025

Directed by Davd Finlay

 

An open stage greeted the audience. Stage right, front of pros was set with a wooden door, table and chair. Stage left, again front of pros, had a large throne and stool alongside. Centre stage was lit with downlights. This performance consisted of four episodes from series II, Bells, Head, Money and Chains, of this iconic television series.

Cleverly staged using five entrances and exits with good use of lighting isolating areas of the stage. The music from the series is played and the performance began.

Bells, the one where Blackadder has strange feelings for his man-servant Bob, who is really Kate. Kate seeks work disguised as a boy rather than become a prostitute crudely and hilariously suggested by her father. The actor playing Kate got the subtleness of this role, cleverly comedic, especially in the scene where she and Blackadder discuss love and the opening scene with her Scottish father discussing her future employment which made us roar with laughter.

The actor portraying the pivotal role of Edmund Blackadder made this part his own but with the slightest hint of its creator, Rowan Atkinson. With a believable biting wit and hilarious putdowns, his comic timing was just outstanding throughout. He looked the part in the archetypal black and red Tudor-style doublet, padded trunk hose with a padded cod-piece, stockings and hat. This was a tour de force indeed. I have never seen a better Blackadder. Baldrick was played as dim-wittedly as he should be and worked perfectly with Edmund and Percy. I loved the scene where Percy mistakes Baldrick, who is dressed as a bridesmaid, as ‘a little cutey’, let me have a kiss’. Baldrick kisses him long and strongly. Lord Percy, in a gorgeous green and gold doublet, green trunk hose, a hat with a feather and differing size ruffs, was portrayed aptly by this actor as camp and gullible and an annoyance to Edmund who describes him as ’looking like a lightbulb that swallowed a plate’ as he wears his new ruff. I loved his excitement in the alchemy scene where he makes a green splat and not gold and his rubbish Germanic accent when reading Ludwig’s letter to Queenie. The actor playing Queen Elizabeth I or ‘Queenie’ was perfectly cast and was convincing as a bored spoilt child who treats her subjects as play things. Such a natural performer is this actor.  Lord Melchett who was great at grovelling and gleefully frolicsome. Nursie, who is always at Queenie’s side, was expertly portrayed by this actor, with classic one-liners and non-sequitur’s uttered with skill such as ‘You’re so clever today you better be careful your foot doesn’t fall off’.  Lord Flashheart burst onto the stage and was side-splittingly funny with every ‘Woof!’  thrusting his pelvis and making sexual inuendoes. The audience loved every word and clapped as he exited.   The actor playing the young crone in Bells and the Mad Beggar in Money had a great cackle and acted both characters with skill, as did the actors playing the Wise Woman and Dr Leech.

In Head, Queenie makes reluctant Edmund the Lord High Executioner with Mr Ploppy and Mrs Ploppy as his grubby assistants. The actor in the role of Mrs Ploppy is also the discontented Messenger in Money used wonderful facial expressions in both characters.  The interaction between Edmund and Lady Farrow as he pretends to be her one-armed husband were very funny along with her melodramatic howling.  The actor playing Earl Farrow in this episode also played the baby eating Bishop of Bath and Wells in Money, a naughty loan shark. This actor had fabulous diction and stage presence.

Melchet and Edmund are kidnapped by the German master of disguise Prince Ludwig, in Chains, as he tries to overthrow Queenie. The actor in the role of Ludwig was very comical with an exaggerated Germanic accent and a disturbing facial scar. As was the wacky Spanish torturer, who had the audience in stitches while he and Edmund played a game of extraordinary charades.

Special mention must go to the Wardrobe team. As well as having an accomplished cast the costumes were exquisite and correct for the date of the piece. Queenie’s gown, ruff and wig, Lord Melchett’s long tunic and the Bishop of Bath and Wells black robe and huge cross.  Percy’s and Edmunds costumes and a very grubby Baldrick. The standard of these costumes gave a professional look to this talented group of actors.  Many of the ensemble played two parts and supported their fellow cast members ably with varying characters. Every word could be heard from every cast member and nothing was missed.

Due to there being a number of scenes in each episode the lighting team had to be on their toes as they moved from stage right to stage left and then centre stage. Two crossover spotted downlights were used to excellent effect upstage with good use of haze in the dungeons and at night.  Simple stage design worked as did the stage props, such as the torture chamber Edmund sat in, the 3D map with moveable ships used by Queenie, the alchemy prop and the head of an executed lord!

This was expertly directed by David Finlay with attention to detail in every scene. Every accolade to the production team and stage crew too.  I laughed so hard from beginning to end as did my husband and the Lord Mayor who was sat beside us. Once again, a triumph of theatre for Exeter Little Theatre Society who seem to go from strength to strength in every production.

My grateful thanks to Tracey Bennelick, Treasurer of ELTC, for such a warm welcome, as always, and it was lovely to congratulate you all after the performance.

Lyn Burgoyne Noda Representative District 5 (Mid and East Devon)

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.