Blackadder: The Elizabethan Years

BLACKADDER: The Elizabethan Years is based on the original BBC television series created by Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton and John Lloyd. It’s in three acts – three episodes and these are ‘Bells’, ‘Head’ and ‘Beer’. This is a great choice of show for a group as it enables a large number of the members to take part.

The set was excellent with areas on the stage set aside as the action moved scenes. This was done with the change of furniture, lighting and musical interludes of humour. There were many props, well sourced and integral to the plot such as the contraption worn on Baldrick’s head with a piece of cheese on the end of a piece of string! There were some period touches such as a quill pen and jar of leeches.

The costumes were superb; colourful, opulent dresses embellished with lace, embroidery, pearls etc and the men in breeches and starched jackets in rich fabrics. Queenie’s dress was amazing and Flashheart’s costume was outstanding. The Whiteadders’ Puritan gowns were plain in style and recognisable as good replicas of the tv show with crosses protruding from all angles.

The lighting was effective throughout and well controlled. Screens were used on either side of the stage to depict locations and enhanced the action on the stage. Good use of pyrotechnics for the arrival of Flashheart.

This was a first class, very polished production with a strong cast who brought to life the characters from the much-loved tv programme with mannerisms and witty dialogue. Finn Walters played Blackadder and faithfully embodied him with his physicality and speech, as did Arabella Davis as the delightfully dim and humble Baldrick. The entire cast were engaging and delivered their performances with great energy and pace. There was good attention to detail with all aspects of the production including warts and scars, the shrieking Queenie, erratic behaviour of Nursey and wicked and blasphemous dialogue from Blackadder. The humour varied from traditional, verbal and at times slapstick and farcical – all recognisable from the tv. With great support from the production team and creatives, the performers shone and the audience went home smiling. 

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