‘COMEDY and poig­nancy’ were at the heart of a production staged at the The Club in Newnham-on-Severn from Wednesday to Saturday last week (December 6 to 9).

Blackadder Goes Forth was presented by Newnham Players. Written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, it is adapted from the final series of the 1980s Blackadder sitcom. Set in the Flanders trenches of World War One, it is famous for the final scene in which the main characters go ‘over the top’ into No Man’s Land.

Director Teri Walker told the Review: “We chose the play due to its First World War connections. We wanted to do something to commemorate 100 years since the war took place. This really allowed us to portray both comedy and poignancy.

“The production was very much a team process. We had a large cast and a big backstage team. We started read throughs and rehearsals very early in the year so that people could choose their level of involvement.”

The play ran over four nights and all of the performances were sold out with almost 300 people attending.

“We had excellent feedback,” Teri added. “We’re already beginning work on our next production, which is the classic 1970s suburban sitcom Abigail’s Party. It’s due to be staged in the summer.”

Newnham Players have approximately 40 family memberships, with members from Newnham and the surrounding hamlets and villages.

To find out more or to join them, email players-info@newnhamon

severn.net or find them on Facebook.

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.