The BBC sitcom series of many years ago, Richard Curtis & Ben Elton's Blackadder, is a natural for the stage, with its larger-than-life characters (caricatures, really; and then some) and Chaucerian ribaldry. Director Carol Dicker has assembled a more-than-competent cast, headed by Matthew Barry, as Edmund Blackadder, the irresistible anti-hero. Barry has studied and used Atkinson's every mannerism, to superb effect. Reinventing such a recognisable and popular character would've been practically out of the question. The best moments are when he responds, ad lib, to members of the audience, without dropping a beat.Speaking of beat, it's rhythm and tempo which sometimes lack and lag, so the generic flaw of this production is it lacks a a certain essential momentum. A little more finger-snapping, during rehearsal might've proven preventive.
Robert Hall isn't as self-assured as his peer, as Lord Percy; a shame, for all the craft seems to be in place, just not the confidence. Hence, he fails to convince, as we respond to his apparent doubts. Surprising, as he has a string of credits, and several strings to his bow: guitarist, singer and dancer, as well as actor.
Julien Suleau, however, makes for a reasonably strong (Lord) Melchett, as against Troy Lennon, who didn't quite pull it off as Flashheart; but was better as a drunken lord, later on. The lack was in the physical comedy, as elsewhere in the work. More training (meaning time & expense) might've corrected this; clearly, stunts are more easily pulled-off televisually, with the aid of editing. Mind you, revisiting the tv series might confirm it doesn't look as flash, perhaps, as it did, back in the day.
Trevor Hulme, who was first to appear on stage, was a little wasted, in terms of relatively minor presence. He fit the bill as both Kate's father and the hen-pecked dark horse, Lord Whiteadder. Phil Donney was also completely satisfactory, as a drunken monk, and sailor.
Adam Ryder, as Baldrick, gave Barry a run for his money, taking on his unglamourous mantle effortlessly. My companion thought him the best of the bunch. Sam O'Hare was equally outstanding, as the witless, intellectually grotesque QE1. Nadine Hulme, as the even stupider Nursie, was a perfect sidekick and showed her versatility as the prim and improper, Catholic-burning Lady Whiteadder.
Joseph Dicker, with his loud, gravelly projection, was almost terrifying as Dr Leech and the Bishop of Bath & Wells. What he would seem to lack in finesse is compensated in sheer presence.
Jessica Brown made for a sweetly coy incarnation of Kate-Bob: while not entirely remarkable, there was nothing truly lacking. Leanne Cooper's Old Crone wasn't half-bad, neither.
While still, clearly, a crowdpleaser (people behind, a veritable Melchett & Queenie of the modern day, aggravatingly, seemed to know it by heart, and were more than prepared to give their recital almost simultaneously), Blackadder is, just maybe, starting to look slightly creaky and well-worn; a little like an old, much-loved shoe. it's still comfortable, but just a little tattered: what was one side-splitting has begun to come apart, a little, itself. Nonetheless, on the day, Phil ('Hey, Nonny Nonny) Donney seemed to ensure nothing came asunder, as stage manager, with a little bit of assistance from Leanne Cooper and Adam Larkham. Peter Hazell wasn't exactly challenged, but his lighting design worked well-enough. Lizzie Malliate's sound lacked a little in slickness, but the fault lay chiefly in pre-production. Costumes seem to have gone uncredited, yet were cause enough, on their own, for much merriment.
If you're a hardcore Blackadder fan, chance are you'll have, dare I say, a ball. If a novice, you'll most probably still have a good time, but might wonder if the second half didn't run a little too long into overtime. Still, it didn't run as long as the Beeb's version, which sprawled out over four series and more.
So, all in all, a pretty good show. That it be!
NTT Productions presents
Blackadder
Riverside Theatres Parramatta June 11 to 13
Bookings 8839 3399
Q Theatre JSPAC Penrith June 20
Bookings 4723 7600
Star of the Sea Theatre Manly June 25/26
Bookings 0414 714 447
Tickets: $30 / $25 conc. Group discounts available
Visit: www.nttproductions.com
