2020s

2022 December Blackadder the Third

Blackadder the Third
Scripts by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis
Adapted for the stage by James Last and Morgan Sweeney

 In his Georgian incarnation, E. Blackadder Esquire is head butler to the Prince of Wales (a spoilt, foppish idiot), ‘dogsbody’ Baldrick is still coming up with ‘cunning plans’ and much time is spent at Mrs Miggins’ coffeehouse.

For this Christmas show, James Last and Morgan Sweeney have adapted three of the funniest episodes from the much-loved TV series. In ‘Sense and Senility’, the Prince employs two aging actors to advise him on public speaking. In ‘Nob and Nobility’, Blackadder gets entangled in the French Revolution and scoffs at the heroic Scarlet Pimpernel. And in ‘Duel and Duality’, Blackadder finds himself having to fight the Duke of Wellington, with some help from his mad Scottish cousin MacAdder.

Many will remember the hilarious 2013 Playgoers’ production, Blackadder – The Tudor Years. This Georgian version is likewise guaranteed to have everyone in stitches in the run-up to the festive season.

Karen Thompson
Craig Norendal
Andy Greenwood
Marc Baillie plays the part of Prince Regent
Alison Shutt
Thom Robb plays the parts of Mossop, Smedley & Guillotine
Owen Evans
Matthew Poynton plays The Maniac
Ivan Middleton
Stewart Grant plays the parts of the Duke of Wellington & The Ambassador

Director and Cast of Blackadder 3

Sense & Senility - Anarchist, "Right, everybody out! Smash the Spinning Jenny! Burn the Rolling Rosalind!"
Sense & Senility - Prince, " I say how exciting! This play gets better and better! Bravo! Bravo!"
Sense & Senility - Blackadder, "It's not a play anymore, sir. Put the bomb down...!"
Sense and Senility - Mossop, "Now before we look at the script, let us look at stance."
Blackadder the Third december 2022 Sense and Senility - Keanrick, "Yes. The ordinary fellow stands like well...as you do." Mossop, "Whereas your hero, stands thus."
Nob and Nobility - Blackadder, "What exactly is Pimpernel sauce?." Mrs. Miggins, "You take a large ripe frog, squeeze it as hard as you can and... Blackadder, "Yes, yes, all right."
Nob and Nobility Mrs. Miggins, "...over there is the Comte de Frou Frou. He's pretty down on his luck, and he's made that horse's w***y last all morning."
Nob and Nobility Baldrick, "...We do nothing until our heads have actually been cut off..." Blackadder, " ...and then we spring into action?"
Nob and Nobility Guillotine, "Leave them to me Monsieur Ambassador. I intend to torture them in a manner so unbearably gruesome, even you will not be able to standit."
Blackadder the Third December 2022 Nob and Nobility Ambassador, "What if I stay for the first few minutes, and then leave if I'm feeling Queasy?" Guillotine, "No you will be sick immediately."
Dual and Duality Wellington, "Have I the honour of addressing the Prince Regent, sir? Blackadder, "You do" (The Prince signals "No" from behind Wellington.)
Dual and Duality Servant, "Hear, hear, for His Majesty, the king of England."
Dual and Duality King George lll, "Someone told me my son was here. I wish him to marry this rose bush..."
Dual and Duality King George lll, "Someone told me my son was here. I wish him to marry this rose bush..."
Dual and Duality McAdder, "... I could kill the king and be crowned with the ancient stone bonnet of McAdder," Mrs. Miggins, "And I shall wear the granite gown and limestone bodice of MacMiggins..." Blackadder, "Look for God's sake, McAdder, you're not Rob Roy..."
Dual and Duality Blackadder, "Good day, cousin McAdder. I trust you are well?" McAdder, "Aye, well enough."
Blackadder the Third Dual and Duality Mrs Miggins, ".... forget Morag forever." McAdder, "No, never. Oh I must do right by Morag. We must return to Scotland and you must fight in the old Highland way- bare breasted and each carrying an eight pound baby."

Production Photographs taken by Chris Lewis

Photographs of an early rehearsal taken by Chris Lewis

Show Details

Dates: Tuesday 6th – Saturday 10th December 2022
Doors Open: 7.00pm
Performance: 7.30pm
Running Time: 2.5 hours

Tickets:
Adults £12.00
Concession £11.00

The Prince Regent is met by the staff at Wordsworth House when he arrives in Cockermouth, Cumberland for a short visit.
The Prince Regent is met by the staff at Wordsworth House when he arrives in Cockermouth, Cumberland for a short visit.
The Prince Regent dines on the best fare that Cockermouth can offer. Served by the maids of the house.
The Prince Regent dines on the best fare that Cockermouth can offer. Served by the maids of the house.
Cards before bed in the Drawing Room. Baldrick keeps the glasses topped up.
Cards before bed in the Drawing Room. Mrs Miggins serenades them and Baldrick keeps the glasses topped up.
Mrs Miggins serenades the Prince and Blackadder while they play cards.
Mrs Miggins is left in peace to her singing and practising the harpsicord for her recital tomorrow.
What is Baldrick getting up to in the kitchen with those maids? Trying out a few tasty morsels no doubt!
Blackadder soom puts a stop to Baldrick's antics and sends him to bed in the cellar.
Ahh! Now we see it's Blackadder's turn to get up to no good in the kitchen with the maids, put his feet up and have another few glasses of the excellent house port.
Mrs Miggins has taken over in the kitchen. She's very happy bossing the kitchen maids around.
Blackadder and Baldrick are trying to work out if they have enough money to travel back to London!
Meanwhile the Prince has discovered the toy cupboard! He has challenged the nursery maid to a game of Cup and Ball. 10/0 to the nursery maid!
The Prince has discovered the toy cupboard!
The Prince says' "Goodbye," to the maids Esme and Zoe.
Waiting for the carriage to take them home. Baldrick looks exhausted!
After one last time chasing the maids around the garden, followed by an irate gardener, Baldrick says, "Goodbye!"
After one last time chasing the maids around the garden, followed by an irate gardener, Baldrick says, "Goodbye!"
Members of the cast of the photo shoot.
Members of the cast and crew of the photo shoot.

Photoshoot at Wordsworth House and Gardens in September

Photographs taken by Chris Lewis

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