Edward Alderton Theatre

COMIC RELIEF SPECIAL: £4,962 raised
Blackadder II
Richard Curtis & Ben Elton

Directed by Wendy Marsh

24 February - 5 March 2011 (10 performances)

A tale of a man, a cunning plan and a turnip shaped like a thingy. Three episodes — Bells, Beer and Chains — adapted from the classic BBC sitcom...

Cast
Lord Edmund Blackadder	David Puckridge
Baldrick	Ian Long
Percy	Michael Martin
Queen Elizabeth I	Jennifer McCarthy
Nursie	Liz Gillett
Lord Melchett	Richard Banks
Kate/Bob	Charlotte Jacobs
Kate's Father	John Hyde
Young Crone	Michèle Yianni
Wise Woman	Eleanor McEnery
Lady Whiteadder	Eileen Warner
Lord Whiteadder	David Hampton
Doctor Leech/Partridge/Guard 1	Paul Friett
Piddle/Spanish Torturer/Guard 2	Matthew Friett
Lord Flashheart/Prince Ludwig	Mark Campbell

Crew
Producer, Stage Manager, Script Adaptation	Rebecca Mason
Script Editor	Wendy Marsh
Assistant Stage Manager	Yvonne Golding
Set Construction	John Vinnels, Ron Andrews
Set Design	Wendy Marsh
Set Decoration	Wendy Marsh, Nicole Knight, Rebecca Mason, Ian Long, Michael Martin, Mick Taylor
Properties	Wendy Marsh, Hannah Jacobs, Liz Gillett
Lighting & SFX Design	Jerry McKeon
Additional Lighting Design & Programming	Rebecca Mason
Lighting Rigging	Christine McKeon, Ian Long
Lighting Operation	Mick Taylor
Sound Design	Rebecca Mason
Sound Operation	Sarah O'Hanlon
Costumes	Wendy Marsh, Liz Gillett
Backstage	Michèle Yianni
Production Artwork	Rebecca Mason, Richard Banks

Preview

Baldrick and balderdash: Blackadder rides again

A giant stalwart of British television comedy will come to life on stage this month. Loved and loathed in equal measure, the scathing and cynical Edmund Blackadder will be appearing at Bexleyheath's Edward Alderton Theatre from February 24. Set during the Elizabethan period, Blackadder II, which boasted an all-star cast in its BBC incarnation, revolves around the nobleman's attempts to placate the petulant Queenie and essentially avoid being beheaded.

Director Wendy Marsh and producer Rebecca Mason obtained special permission to stage the show on condition that all proceeds went to Comic Relief. Marsh said: "With Blackadder you get all the fans in so you have to be very careful how you do it. I have tried to stay as faithful as possible but people do need to remember that television has the benefit of cutting — I was unable to have arrows flying all over the place. I've had to use my noddle and be very clever."

The BBC series, written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, starred Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder and Miranda Richardson as the querulous Queen Elizabeth. Asked if it was daunting taking on such a comedic classic, she said: "Daunting but exciting. It's a huge responsibility. The script has been specially adapted. I have been directing for nine years and comedy is one of my fortes so I was honoured to be asked to do this. I have an absolutely fantastic cast who all remain faithful but also bring their own personalities. I have been blessed. The costumes have been donated and are great, and hopefully the acting will be too."

The show will amalgamate three episodes of the series — Bells, Beer and Chains — and the set logistics have been a big, but enjoyable, challenge. Marsh said: "It will move between Queenie's chamber, dungeons and other locations so I have gone for quite a minimalist set which is unusual for me. However, the costumes are so fantastic that the set doesn't need to be quite so much. I've been busy painting the black and white tiles which I thought were definitely needed. Rehearsals have been going well. I love Blackadder, I am really excited."

Blackadder II is showing from February 24 to March 5, 8pm (bar 7.30pm) at the Edward Alderton Theatre in Brampton Road, Bexleyheath. For tickets priced £10, call 020 8301 5584.

Kate Nelson

Kentish Times | 10 February 2010

Review

Blackadder performed with cunning

It's a riotous romp back to the Elizabethan age with the latest production of Blackadder II at Bexleyheath's Edward Alderton Theatre. Producer Rebecca Mason and director Wendy Marsh have deftly adapted three Blackadder scripts to form a coherent tale of the much-loved characters created for television by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. And all in the name of Comic Relief!

A blessed relief it is too that the production stamps its own mark on Blackadder, rather than merely ape familiar performances, which are surely difficult to better. The director wanted a flavour of the characters rather than simple mimicry: and the audience appreciated the cast's achievements.

David Puckridge (Edmund Blackadder) makes a commendable debut with the company as the Machiavellian courtier, flitting between obsequiousness and assertiveness, guile and frankness, pluck and cowardice as he forever schemes to secure stacks of cash — while avoiding execution at the whim of the unpredictable Queen, delightfully played by Jennifer McCarthy. Perhaps closest at times to the television portrayal...but it really didn't matter. She was a joy to watch and listen to, wielding ridiculous threats and deferring to Nursie's homely crackpot wisdom. This was another delicious performance by Liz Gillett.

Michael Martin (Percy) and Ian Long (Baldrick) make their own marks respectively as Blackadder's idiotic sidekick and fetid manservant. Amidst a barrelful of jokes about turnips, body parts and bodily functions they manage to confound his plans. Richard Banks (Lord Melchett) too brings a freshness to the role as Blackadder's nemesis. Mark Campbell provides suitably over-the-top performances as brash, villainous Lord Flashheart who whisks Blackadder's intended off her feet, and then Prince Ludwig, the effete German master of disguise who plots to overthrow the Queen.

However, smaller parts are cast with equal precision. Charlotte Jacobs (Kate/Bob) charms the pants off Blackadder in a parody of the 'principle boy'; Eileen Warner (Lady Whiteadder) is achingly funny as the po-faced puritan who keeps everyone in check, including David Hampton (Lord Whiteadder). And there are enjoyable performances from John Hyde, Michèle Yianni, Eleanor McEnery, Paul Friett and Matthew Friett who excels as an Inquisition torturer.

The show continues to illustrate the strength of partnership between actors and crew whose behind-the-scenes talents are often forgotten. On this occasion the audience is another arm to the partnership and their faith in and commitment to the company should ensure that a decent stash of cash is raised for Comic Relief.

Steve Spencer

Kentish Times | 3 March 2011

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