Sixty years after the demise of Prince Edmund Plantagenet, Queen Elizabeth I, who’s as insane as her ancestors, is England’s current leader. Seductive, easy-to-impress, spoiled, and always seeking a husband, “Queenie” has a leading courtier: Lord Edmund Blackaddder….
Audience Comments
“A huge well done to everyone involved in Blackadder. Being a huge fan of the tv series, I pretty much knew every line, yet you still had me roaring with laughter. We all were. So funny and clever. What a talented bunch you all are! Enjoy your last day!”
“Huge congrats to everyone involved with Blackadder II, tonight. It was hilarious! Enjoy your after-show curry. Amazing performances from everyone, but, the stand-out / stand-up stage presence was the “Turnip Surprise”, a little bit stiff, but scene-stealing xxx”
“We loved it. Fab performances by all. Such a great evening x”
About the Show
Written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, Blackadder II aired from 9 January 1986 to 20 February 1986. The series is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and sees the principal character, Edmund, Lord Blackadder, as a Tudor courtier attempting to win the favour of the Queen while avoiding execution by decapitation, a fate that befell many of her suitors.
The series is the successor to The Black Adder, and differed significantly from its predecessor, notably with Ben Elton replacing Rowan Atkinson as the second writer. The filming was done in studio sets, rather than on location, and it introduced a Machiavellian Blackadder and a less intelligent Baldrick. The size of the principal cast was also reduced compared to the previous series, with a fixed number of characters appearing in every episode:
- Rowan Atkinson as Lord Edmund Blackadder
- Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy, Heir to the Duchy of Northumberland
- Tony Robinson as Baldrick
- Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I of England
- Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett, the Lord Chamberlain
- Patsy Byrne as Nursie
The series also featured at least one significant cameo role per episode. Notable appearances included Rik Mayall as the debonair Lord Flashheart in “Bells”, along with Gabrielle Glaister, a former classmate of Ben Elton’s who played “Bob”; Miriam Margolyes, as the puritanical Lady Whiteadder in “Beer”; and Stephen Fry’s comedy partner Hugh Laurie, as the drunken Simon Partridge.
Review by Noda
Society: St Peter Players
Production: Blackadder II
Date: 10 July 2025
Report By: Judith Watsham
Thank you for inviting me to report on your Summer Production – on a hot and sticky evening! I really felt for all your cast, encased as they were in heavy costumes, if we in the audience really felt the heat how much worse was it for all of you? Thank you also for the hospitality and warm welcome I received from Director Tina Barclay and your front of house team.
I do like your way of delivering the usual ‘elf ‘n’ saf’ty announcements – always puts the audience in a relaxed and ready-to-be-amused state of mind!
Tina told me that you were faced with TV scripts which had not been adapted for the stage, and I think you and the rest of the Production Team did a superb job. The set, designed by Tina and built by Les Brewer, Peter Heaps, Jason Congerton and Tina herself with painting from Jenny Evans, did present a few problems. You all tried to keep up the momentum as well as you could, which is important in a TV spin-off like this when the audience are very familiar with all the characters and fast switches between scenes.
One of the many difficulties groups face with television-to-stage productions centres round scene changes; in the case of Blackadder it was the fact that you had to keep resetting his room which must have given Andrew Barker as Stage Manager, a few headaches! Using the folding flat as a backdrop slowed the pace as the piece of scenery was unwieldy and sometimes proved difficult to drag on and off stage. Perhaps utilising part of the rest of the stage area for a more permanent set and lighting it accordingly would have helped, possibly using DSR or DSL? Another way round it might have involved only setting the furniture. The draw cloth/projection combo used for other scenes worked well, however, as did Queenie’s room upstage.
Not an easy show to direct I think, Tina, but you gave the audience a most entertaining evening. Separating each episode with an interval was a good idea instead of only having one break, especially as the audience could gratefully spill outside for fresh air! The familiar signature tune ushered in the three different plays and ending each with a Minstrel song from different cast members worked well. All three sang well too.
There was a lot of talent to be found in this production, both on and off stage – no change there for the Players, of course!
Les Brewer’s lighting was always good as was Peter Heaps’ sound.
Amelia Savage and Finn Toomey, responsible for makeup and hair, created all the right effects for the characters.
The three ladies on props – Tina, Liz Peskin and Ruth Corner – had to find a fair number of suitable objects, some of which had to cross the line between what was costume and what was props too so it was just as well that Liz and Ruth had the task of dealing with all the different outfits which appeared on stage!
The programme, credited to Molly Evans (although I suspect Jason Congerton may have had a hand in it too???) is worth entering into next year’s NODA London Poster and Programme competition and, although I am not aware of seeing Molly’s poster, perhaps this too?
The six actors who appeared in all three episodes maintained their roles throughout and each one of you took on the well-known TV characterisation and added your own little touches.
John Montgomery gave an excellent performance in the title role. Always in character, with some of the delivery and mannerisms immortalised by Rowan Atkinson, you added variations of your own, all of which enhanced your performance.
Nic Barton played the thoroughly stupid Baldrick with a suitably vacant, hangdog expression. You too adapted some of Tony Robinson’s (the original actor) moves and expressions to fit your own characterisation whilst never impersonating the latter.
Lord Percy was portrayed by Ashley Baker. Good moves and delivery which complemented the other actors well. Your minstrel song which closed the act worked well with good facial expressions.
Jenny Evans as Queenie gave another a well-judged performance. I think that with this role in particular there is no choice but to copy the original actress’s facial expressions as she has to be imperious, flirtatious with a large dose of sadistic cruelty thrown in – all whilst smiling happily!
Liz Peskin as Nursie was a delight as always. Your throw-away remarks were clear and very well timed as they have to be to put over the comedic element of the role. You used your body language to great effect as always too. As well as playing this role I know that you did your usual superb job as half of the costume team alongside Ruth Corner, costumes excellent as always of course.
Ryk Burnett took on the role of the pompous, self-satisfied Lord Melchett and acted well with good use of facial expressions. You too have to time your remarks well to get the best reactions from the audience when you are in what can be called ‘Court Mode’. When you let your hair down in the drunken debauched finale to the third act, Beer, it was, as it should be, a revelation!
The first episode, Bells, included Jennifer Carr as Kate/Bob and Steve Cubbage as the flamboyant Lord Flashheart
Jennifer, who is normally to be found using her superb singing voice to great effect in musicals, including opera and G & S, acted well. We did get to hear your singing of course, as you sang the Minstrel’s number at the end of the Act very well indeed.
Steve exploded on to the stage with a leap and a roar then proceeded to give an absolutely outrageous performance, totally in keeping with the character and somewhat different to other roles I have seen him play!
The other actors in Bells included Alvin Cohen as a leech-prescribing Doctor, Wendy Graham as the Wise Woman, Rick Warren as Father and Cathy Davidoff as the Crone. All of you played these parts with enthusiasm!
Cathy also featured in Head, the second episode, as the distraught Lady Farrow; two very different roles, both well-acted.
The unrelated Mr and Mrs Ploppy also appeared in Head in the persons of Jason Congerton and Ruth Corner. Ruth – I have already noted your superb contribution to the costumes and your performance as the scruffy cook was excellent as always.
Jason played the gaoler with great gusto and a good accent.
In the third and final episode, Beer, several members of the cast reappeared in very different roles:
Rick Warren (previously seen in both Bells and in Head as Lord Farrow) gave an excellent performance as the drunken Piddle.
Jason Congeron revelled in the role of the drunken sot Partridge. I think you really enjoyed both roles Jason, the audience certainly did! Two excellent characterisations.
Liz Glover, as Lady Whiteadder was imperious, with indignant, flashing eyes and a booming voice! Not the most flattering costume I have seen you wear, although I remember you told me once you specialised in ‘bag ladies’ so perhaps you are used to it! Anyway, you used your excellent voice well in the last minstrel song of the show!
As Lord Whiteadder, Alvin Cohen’s strange costume mimicked his lady’s and Alvin, you used your expressive face to great effect as your very belligerent wife ranted and raved – you were clearly terrified of her!
Last but by no means least we saw Steve Cubbage reappear as one of Blackadder’s drinking companions, this time as just about the most unlikely Monk I have ever seen!
Like many TV inspired plays it is not easy to get the balance right between mimicry, in order to give the audience what it expects, and adding the director’s/actor’s own slant on the characters, but you all managed to achieve this.
Thank you again for entertaining us all so well and I look forward to Shrek in December!
Judith
Judith Watsham
Regional Rep NODA London District 11 and 11A
Posted On: 30 April 2025