Messenger Review by RICK BOWEN

Had he been there, I think Rowan Atkinson himself would have clapped and cheered Steven Finney to the rafters after his performance as Blackadder. For this is comedy acting at its finest, with Steven displaying flawless comedy timing that could easily be found on a professional stage. The cues, the tormented facial expressions, this performance, perfectly pitched, had echoes of Atkinson when he played the role on TV.

We meet Blackadder in Georgian England and our hero is working as butler to Prince George, a man so dim you'd be forgiven for thinking he was the by product of two cousins getting married.

There are some memorable scenes between Blackadder and this royal twit, expertly played by Hugh Everett in what is, for me, his best ever performance on the Altrincham Garrick stage.

All the characters from the TV series are here and while it helps if you are a fan of the original, this production, bursting with laugh out loud funny moments, is sure to convert you.

It always helps when you have Richard Curtis and Ben Elton writing the script – the lines are a gift for Finney and company. 

Charlie Tomlinson has always impressed me as an actor and he's equally good on the other side of the boards.

Beverley Stuart Cole is great fun as pie shop owner Mrs Miggins and Blackadder just wouldn't be Blackadder without his sidekick Baldrick (Michael Gallagher), a simple soul in oh so many ways. For me, this is one of the best comedies the Garrick has ever done, a wall to wall triumph.
Star Rating ★★★★★

Remotegoat Review · ‘Garrick has Cunning plan!’ JULIA TAYLOR

The Garrick has never shirked from presenting stage versions of well-known TV series and, this time, they have come up with a cunning plan. It is their version of Blackadder the Third scripted by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which they perform fearlessly without copying the original characters too precisely but with input of their own which adds richness.

They capture four episodes, all set in the Regency period. Our hero is employed as head butler to the idiotic Prince Regent so Baldrick is downgraded to become Black Adder's dogsbody.

Steven Finney plays Blackadder with panache. With much wit and elastic facial expression, he manipulates his side kick Baldrick into carrying out his plans. Finney’s acting is so precise, you can almost read his thoughts as he attempts to solve one difficulty after another.

These difficulties include Baldrick's burning of Dr Samuel Johnson's dictionary, Blackadder masquerading as the Scarlet Pimpernel, our hero's attempt to get the Prince Regent wed for money and the Duke of Wellington (David Beddy) challenging the Prince to a duel and ending up unknowingly fighting Black Adder.

Michael Gallagher is a hoot as Baldrick who is as clumsy and thick as ever. Yet even he cannot compete in the gormless stakes against the foppish Prince Regent, played with appropriately restrained humour by Hugh Everett.

Beverley Stuart-Cole romps merrily through the role of coffee shop keeper Mrs Miggins and other equally amusing female parts.

It’s good to see Steven Williamson back on the main stage in four roles. His depiction of Amy Hardwood's working class dad is especially good.

In this production, well directed by Charlie Tomlinson, the Garrick actors priceless humour, means the audience leave laughing and chatting happily about what they have seen.
Star Rating ★★★★★

Review by Paul Downham for North West End

For a number of years I have driven past the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse and said to myself time and time again I must pay a visit. I have heard nothing but superb reports about the productions staged here and tonight I finally got the chance to tick this one particular item off my theatrical bucket list.

The theatre is as impressive as it is stunning with some of the friendliest front of house staff I have encountered in a long time.

So my entertainment for the evening was Blackadder the Third, and it more than lived up to my expectations and more.

Set on a simple stage (Trevor McKie) split between the Royal apartment and the servants’ quarters below, the show recreates 4 out of the 6 episodes from the third instalment of the Blackadder series.

The first act saw ‘Ink and Incapability’ in which to increase his intellectual standing, the prince decides to become patron of Dr. Johnson's new dictionary, much to Blackadder’s disgust. However, Johnson is also planning to publish a novel written by Blackadder under a pseudonym, thus making him a millionaire. Matters are complicated, however, when Baldrick destroys the manuscript of the dictionary by burning it. Blackadder must devise a scheme to ensure that Johnson’s dictionary, and thus his novel, are published.

This was followed by ‘Nob and Nobility’ where the Scarlet Pimpernel is the hero of the age. Blackadder, irritated by the new obsession with all things French, decides to cash in on the craze. Attempting to emulate the elusive Pimpernel, Blackadder accepts a bet to rescue a French nobleman and collect a handsome reward. His plans go awry, however, when he and Baldrick are captured and have to escape from the clutches of the French revolutionaries.

The second half consisted of ‘Amy and Amiability’ where upon discovering that the prince has lost his money gambling, his faithful butler Blackadder attempts to marry Amy Hardwood, the daughter of a rich industrialist. Also starring her mum in the courtship, Blackadder eventually discovers that Amy’s father is also broke. We soon also discover that Amy is in fact The Shadow, a notorious highwayman.

Finally ‘Duel and Duality’ this time the Prince runs into more trouble when he offends the Duke of Wellington with his nose, with only one way to save himself. Blackadder formulates a cunning plan to substitute his own Scottish cousin, MacAdder, to fight the Prince in the duel. When this plan falls through, however, Blackadder must swap places with the Prince and fight the duel himself.

All four episodes were put together with a team of very talented performers and a production team with a degree of professionalism I have rarely seen on an amateur stage.

Steven Finney playing Edmund Blackadder takes on a role that previously I couldn't have imagined anyone but Rowan Atkinson playing. His mannerisms were so well played out and costume convincing it was sometimes difficult to tell the two apart.

Michael Gallagher as Baldrick brought many laughs with a cunning blend of slapstick comedy mixed with the disgusting habits viewers of the BBC TV series grew to love. His one point accurate comic timing and interaction with Finney was a joy to watch.

The Prince played by Hugh Everett also put in a good turn as the royal fop. Complete with white make up and an equally white wig he portrayed the innocence of the character with skill and dexterity. 

The remaining cast members Steven Williamson, Beverly Stuart Cole, Richard Finney, David Beddy, Bob Miller and Leon McKenna all take on supporting roles changing from episode to episode with Cole hitting the spot with a number of stellar performances.

Directed by Charlie Tomlinson, Blackadder is a triumph in every sense of the word. With the addition of accurate period costumes from the wardrobe team under the leadership of Mike Shaw you really feel that you have been transported to the Regency period.