Blackadder’s cunning plan to return to the Timaru Playhouse Theatre has proven successful.
It is the second time in recent years the South Canterbury Drama League has tackled a Blackadder stage adaptation, having previously staged Blackadder Goes Forth, Episode 5&6 in 2018.
Directed once again by Annette Farr, Blackadder II — The Golden Age perfectly captured the classic English humour synonymous with the legendary BBC television comedy written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton.
The play adapted two episodes from the Elizabethan era Blackadder II.
Act one focused on the series opener Bells, an age-old story of boy meets girl disguised as a boy, boy falls for boy/girl and then proceeds to question his sexuality.
Act two was based on episode five Beers, where Lord Blackadder finds himself hosting a drinking competition on the same night he is supposed to be entertaining his puritanical relatives, and it goes about as well as you would expect.
The acts were broken up by a dinner experience with themed food that added to the Elizabethan aspect of the performance.
The audience was kept wonderfully entertained while eating thanks to several musical numbers from the cast such as Brush Up on Your Shakespeare and Hard to Be the Bard.
Paul Davis tackled the role of Lord Edmund Blackadder with all the sparkling wit — and immense cynicism — the character is renowned for.
He combined with Ian Howard as the farcical Lord Percy and Luke Robb as the dim-witted but loveable Baldrick, and the three showed immense on-stage chemistry and comedic timing, constantly leaving the audience in fits of laughter.
The entire cast worked together seamlessly and it was very apparent the actors on stage were having just as much fun delivering the performance as the audience were watching it.
Notable mention also needs to be made of the performance of Emma Robb, who shone as Queen Elizabeth I, or as she is more affectionately known, ‘‘Queenie’’.
The show was staged in the old rehearsal room at the Playhouse which had been transformed into a banquet hall.
The simplistic set was highly effective and allowed for the focus to primarily be on the actors and especially the period-perfect costumes.
Costume designer Christine Cheesman and her team created over a dozen authentic Elizabethan costumes that very well could have been plucked right out of the screen.
Their hours upon hours of work definitely paid off as the costumes were very much a highlight of the show.
It was very easy to forget you were watching a stage adaptation and not just at home watching an episode on the telly.
If you are looking for a good laugh this Christmas — Blackadder II — The Golden Age certainly will not disappoint.
A further six performances will be held, with one each night at 7pm from today to Saturday and December 5-7.
Tickets are $75, including a two-course meal, and can be bought from iTicket or the Timaru information centre; there are no door sales.
