Blackadder Goes Forth

First time director Callon Leam did not choose an easy path for his first production, with the tricky to stage Blackadder Goes Forth. Originally written for TV, it provides some challenges for theatre. To compound this, Covid regulations lead to some cast challenges. Well received by its opening night audience, this is an entertaining and smooth production and a credit to its emerging director.

Requiring multiple settings, some clever staging (Rob Walker and Callon Leam have created a great set), an army of crew make scene changes relatively swift - and the use of jaunty World War One songs facilitated by Sound Technician Danny Joyce make the transitions fun. Each episode (the show is drawn from three television episodes) is marked by a banner announcement - beautifully bumbled by crew members Ben Naylor and Deborah Wilson.

Shaun Griffin, bearing a strong resemblance to Rowan Atkinson in the same role, plays central character Captain Edmund Blackadder, capturing the character beautifully and pacing the show nicely. He bounces well off Kris Davis, droll and rather foul as Private S. Baldrick and Luke Webb, who makes a very impressive debut as upper-class idealist, Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh - especially notable as he was a late addition to the cast.

Mark Dyer, concluding his debut year with a fourth very different role, is expertly pompous and incompetent as General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, working well with Aiden Rosenburg (also making a solid theatrical debut) as secretary Captain Darling.

The only female role is Nurse Mary Fletcher Brown, who is played with great complexity by Carlie Drake. Good support from Alan Donovan as Mr Smith, in his first stage appearance since 1985 and newcomer Mitchell Drain as Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig.

The comedy flows nicely, and the poignant moments are well handled, making this a fun to watch production. A treat for fans of the TV show, and enjoyable theatre for all.

Kimberley Shaw