A BRITISH classic will be brought from screen to stage when Almost Legal Productions come to Swindon Arts Centre.

The Stroud-based theatre and film production company will be performing the Ben Elton and Richard Cutis comedy, Blackadder, on June 27 and June 28 at 7.30pm.

Blackadder is a comedy set in different historical periods featuring the ill-fated exploits of the mean-spirited Edmund Blackadder and his dim sidekick Baldrick.

Almost Legal will be performing two episodes from two time zones, one being Elizabethan, called Bells, and the other being the classic First World War episode known as Goodbyeee or Over The Top.

Director Chas Burns said: “Blackadder is the second most rated television series to ever come out of this country, it’s just behind Only Fools and Horses.

“The Goodbyeee episode is award-winning and it is very poignant.

“We’re doing it not actually because of the 100 year anniversary of the First World War, that just so happened to fall into our laps, but really we fancied doing it.”

The production is raising funds for Comic Relief and the Royal British Legion.

This is the first tour from Almost Legal Productions, who are now well established in their hometown of Stroud and have also produced for stage classics such as The Wicker Man and Carry On Screaming.

For tickets, which are £10, call 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk.

– EMMA DUNN