Dark comedy and doomed plans: Blackadder Goes Forth lands in Rolleston

CentreStage Rolleston is set to return to familiar territory this winter, reviving the dark comedy of Blackadder Goes Forth in what promises to be a sharply funny yet deeply moving production.

On stage from 4 to 12 July at Rolleston College, the show brings the grim absurdity of World War I trenches to life—complete with sandbags, duckboards, and biting British sarcasm.

This is not the first time the award-winning community theatre company has taken on Blackadder. After a successful run of Blackadder II in 2021, the group now shifts its focus to the series’ final and most poignant instalment, set in the trenches of Flanders in 1917.

Director Marilyn Ollett, a long-time member of CentreStage’s executive, said the production walks a tightrope between comedy and tragedy.

“We want the audience to laugh, absolutely—but also to feel the weight of what these characters are facing. That final scene? It stays with you.”

The cast includes Ashton Kusabs as the quick-witted Captain Blackadder, Jarod Bingham as the ever-enthusiastic Lieutenant George, and John Boyce as the eternally clueless Baldrick.

Glen Clark takes on the role of the uptight Captain Darling, while Tom Vavasour roars onto stage as the larger-than-life General Melchett.

Ollett said the performances, supported by a detailed set and period-accurate costumes, would deliver a theatrical experience that was both hilarious and hard-hitting.

“It’s a tribute—not just to satire, but to the resilience of those who endured war, and to the power of theatre to remind us of the cost of conflict.”

Three episodes from the iconic BBC series will be performed: Corporal Punishment, Major Star, and the haunting finale, Goodbyeee.

CentreStage Rolleston, founded in 2018, is a registered charity run by volunteers. The company produces three major shows each year, offering opportunities for performers and crew from across the Selwyn region.

Tickets for Blackadder Goes Forth are on sale now at centrestagerolleston.org.nz, with prices starting at $15.