A clan of Waikato actors have been rehearsing over recent weeks (pictured) for the stage adaptation of Blackadder Goes Forth at the Gaslight Theatre, Cambridge.
The Cambridge Repertory Society is commemorating 100 years since the end of World War I with an amateur stage adaptation of the hit BBC comedy, Blackadder Goes Forth.
Playing over November 10 – 24 at Cambridge’s Gaslight Theatre, and again over December 5 – 8, the show (written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton) has been adapted for the stage by director Dave Stearns.
“We’ve taken four episodes from the original series (Corporal Punishment, General Hospital, Private Plane and Goodbyee) and moved them around slightly to allow for the complexities of transferring a television series to a stage performance,” said Dave. “Anyone familiar with the programme will spot the differences, but otherwise, this is a faithful interpretation of the original.”
The action is set in the British trenches of the Western Front in 1917 and chronicles Blackadder’s attempts to escape the madness of war, aided and abetted by upper-class twit, Lt George St Barleigh and the profoundly stupid Private Baldrick and his “cunning plans”.
“The wit and humour are still sharp after nearly 30 years, as is the satirical and poignant portrayal of the futility of war,” said Dave.
The season opens over Armistice weekend in Cambridge, with an additional matinee on Armistice Day, November 11, at the one-off start time of 5:30pm. Due to high demand, the season was extended to include additional dates in December. Tickets are available from Paper Plus Cambridge and www.eventfinda.co.nz.
