4 days Ago
A beloved British sitcom is set to be brought to life on stage next week. Bolton Little Theatre will host an adaptation of "Blackadder II: The Elizabethan Years". This will be the first time Ben Latham will be directing at the theatre; and as a devoted Blackadder fan, he is thrilled to be directing his favourite three episodes of the TV series.
Mr Latham said: "We’re doing 'Bells,' in which Blackadder falls for Bob, his new servant; 'Head,' where he becomes Lord High Executioner; and 'Potato,' which sees him, Percy, and Baldrick attempt to rival Sir Walter Raleigh’s exploits. "But really I could have picked any of the episodes: they’re all equally brilliant." The sitcom, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, "has become a part of British comedy gold", in the judgment of a spokesperson.
READ MORE: Drug dealer led police on high speed chase through Bolton James Martin announced for Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2025 The pub of the week is the Strawbury Duck in Entwistle The cast includes newcomers Paul Humphreys as Blackadder and Len Rice as Lord Percy. Richard Leigh, who plays Baldrick, said: "Paul and Len really are spot on in their impressions of Rowan Atkinson and Tim McInnery, who played the TV versions, which is important for an audience, I think. "People are expecting the well-known characters they love.
" But Mr Latham added: "If you think they’re good, you should see the depictions of 'Queenie' played by Julie Hall and 'Nursie' played by Laura Roberts, and another new face, Chris Dunn, who takes on 'Lord Melchett.' "They are all just perfect in the roles – I really have been very lucky in having such a strong cast to bring my favourite show to life." The set, designed by Helen Livesey, depicts Blackadder’s lodgings and Queenie’s throne room, with other scenes played in front of black tabs.
An array of props, created by Helen Livesey, Judith Leigh, and Keya Edge, are featured too. Other members of the 18-strong cast include Ashley Hambrook, Jamie Roberts, Catherine Henderson, Ruth Syddall, Paul Roberts, and Ellie Hamilton, as well as Jason Taylor, Andrea Peters, Susan Simons, Carl Wheatley, Henry Bolton, and Ashley Foster - who entertains the audience in between acts with his rendition of the minstrel songs which ended each TV episode. "Blackadder II: The Elizabethan Years" runs from Monday, March 31 to Saturday, April 5 at 7.
30pm (with a BSL signed performance on Tuesday, April 1) at Bolton Little Theatre, Hanover Street, Bolton BL1 4TG. For tickets visit www.boltonlittletheatre.
co.uk or phone 01204 524469..
