Repertory Invercargill: The show must go on

Just days before the opening night the part of Blackadder was being read by director Jason Fraser after illness struck down their lead performer.

Repertory Invercargill’s production of Blackadder, Butler to the Prince is proof that the show must go on.

The play that opened on Wednesday is a madcap romp through England in the late 1700s, showcasing characters made famous by the BBC television series of the same name.

However, just days before the opening night the part of Blackadder was being read by director Jason Fraser after illness struck down their lead performer.

“Our lead actor, Callum Fowler, has been quite unwell and is not quite up to carrying on with the season at this stage. With many of our cast having other major commitments that begin directly after our season, and looking at the hundreds and hundreds of hours of work put in by the volunteers that create one of our productions, the only alternative we had was for me to take this on,” Fraser said.

While the part of Blackadder is the lead role, the character is very much the straight man, meaning his reading of the role was of no real concern, he said.

“Blackadder is really reacting to all of these intensely ridiculous characters that swirl around him. I think audiences will still have the time of their lives even if I have a script in my hand.”

Tickets were available for the matinee but were fast selling out for the rest of the season, Fraser said.

Blackadder, Butler to the Prince runs from March 29 to April 1.