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| Baldrick (Tony Sehgal) & Blackadder (Sam Hinton) photo Mark Burden |
If you loved the original Blackadder II, or even if you’ve
never seen a single episode, please go and see this show; I guarantee it will
have you rolling in the aisles. Blackadder II is based on three episodes
(‘Head’, ‘Bells’ and ‘Beer’) of the beloved BBC TV Series – we follow
Blackadder doing his best to use all his cunning to succeed in the Elizabethan
era. Directed by Matthew Hope and Sean
Burnside, this is a production that takes every opportunity to make you laugh. The
set design by Megan Smith and Precious Oyibo managed to fit the purpose of many
different settings and created a feel of the Elizabethan era using only a few
pieces of furniture. The costumes looked phenomenal, with each actor dressed as
if they had just walked off the original BBC set.
Nursie (Karen Elliott) & Queenie (Catherine White)
photo Mark Burden
The show is filled with the best characters of the show;
Baldrick (Tony Sehgal), trying out his new inventions to catch his dinner, the
hectic Queenie (Catherine White), the pompous Lord Melchett (Tony Childs), the
delightfully dippy Nursie (Karen Elliot) and everyone’s favourite Lord
Flashhart (Jake Wilson Craw), to name but a few. Look out for the interesting
faces made by The Wisewoman (Ann Zunder) who took to her role with great zeal.
I couldn’t help giggling at Kate’s Father (Martin Collins) as he continued
mumbling his way off stage. Lord Edmund Blackadder (Sam Hinton) seemed to
become more and more cunning and funny as the show went on. Such was the talent
of the actors that, when Blackadder and Bob/Kate (Catherine Ellis) became stuck
to one another due to a wardrobe malfunction, they kept us in stitches, never
breaking character as they managed to extract themselves. Although, I must
confess to breaking into hysterics every time Lord Percy (Ben Ostell) appeared
on stage, no opportunity for amusement was missed.
Percy (Ben Ostell), Mr Ploppy (Mike Cornish),
Mrs Ploppy (Marina Cornish), (Baldrick (Tony Sehgal)
photo Mark Burden
I was concerned as to how the three stories would work, but
then The Minstrel (Craig Fairbairn) appeared. It was a true pleasure to listen
to his funny songs marking the end of each chapter.
Flashheart (Jake Wilson Craw), Bob (Catherine Ellis)
photo Mark Burden
If you feel the need for a little joy and laughter, this is definitely
the show for you.
Blackadder II is running 5-9 October at the Peoples Theatre.
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