his biting remarks and Mayo’s dimwitted responses creating a hilarious and engaging contrast. Their exchanges were full of energy, and Bingle’s pacing kept the humour sharp and fresh. Whether scheming his way out of tricky situations or delivering sarcastic soliloquies, Bingle’s performance as Blackadder was both faithful to the original character and refreshingly lively, anchoring the production with charisma and razorsharp wit. Simon Mayo’s portrayal of Baldrick was a comedy highlight of the production, fully embracing the character’s dimwitted charm and lovable cluelessness. Mayo captured Baldrick’s naïve optimism and his comic timing was impeccable, especially in scenes where his character’s sheer ignorance contrasted with Blackadder’s cutting wit, resulting in many laugh-out-loud moments. Mayo’s expressive face and bumbling body language perfectly embodied the essence of Baldrick’s simple, yet endearing personality. What made Mayo’s performance particularly delightful was his chemistry with Alex Bingle’s Blackadder. Their interactions felt natural and full of energy, with Mayo playing the perfect foil to Bingle’s sharp, sarcastic retorts. His ability to remain blissfully oblivious to his own absurdity, while still bringing warmth to the character, made Baldrick more than just a comic relief sidekick. Mayo's Baldrick was the heart of the show’s humour, providing an endlessly amusing counterpoint to the scheming and frustration around him. And I have to say, if you closed your eyes, you’d have thought Tony Robinson was on the stage - Simon did a great job at emulating the original Baldrick. Steve Axon brought a wonderfully comic flair to his portrayal of Lord Percy Percy, capturing the character’s well-meaning but hopelessly foolish nature with great energy. Axon’s performance was filled with delightful physical comedy, from his exaggerated expressions to his clumsy attempts at aristocratic grace, which added a layer of silliness to the character’s naïve enthusiasm. His ability to make Percy both ridiculous and endearing provided an entertaining contrast to the sharp wit of Blackadder. Axon’s Percy was a lovable fool, played with infectious enthusiasm and perfect comic timing.
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