The Rose Theatre structure was torn down more than 380 years before this sketch was performed. The reason the line was funny is because it was topical. The surviving foundations of the Rose had just been unearthed in a building project, sparking a debate as to whether the builders should be allowed to continue demolishing it to build their office complex. For the record, this sketch was performed in the Sadler's Wells Theatre.
Like Pratchett's "Hedgehog Song", the "Avocado Monologue" just begs to be written. The tap-dancing Othello (and, for some reason, my mind's eye instantly supplies Mr. Lenworth Henry) would also be an inevitable joy. As ever the rapport between Hugh and Rowan as actors is evident, the fluency emergent from long familiarity. A tiny treasure too long overlooked; thank you so much for posting.
@kapakal He says "Yeah well I've always said the Rose Theatre is a dump. Frankly, I mean the sooner they knock it down and build something decent the better".
I love Hugh Laurie. He was great in Blackadder and many of the things he did back in England, We are privileged to have him in the US now though sometimes I miss his more light hearted humor
Rowan's definitely channelling "Mr B" here and having Blackadder as your editor would drive you mad! Of course, this is all drawn from their real life experience. "You said that about the avocado monologue in "King Lear"! And the tap dance at the end of "Othello"!" *dies*
My father was a huge fan of Blackadder, and he had to buy dvd's to even watch it. I loved Blackadder, and when I saw Hugh on house, I thought, "Who knew the Prince Regent was so cynical?"
Anyone who enoys Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie together would probably enjoy Blackadder third series. I recommend the episode "Ink and Incapability" where Robbie Coltrane (of Hagrid fame) plays Dr Johnson.
hugh laurie is utterly amazing. he can do accents so well, i'd never tell he was british just from watching house! and rowan atkinson, well, we all know he's already awesome.
I had no idea that Hugh Laurie was a comedian. I mean, I knew he was a british actor, but man! AND he worked with Rowan Atkinson, too! Good golly miss molly!
Ok, thanks I haven't seen blackadder in a while I should watch them again. I like when Blackadder said that baldrick was filthier than a dung beetle that had lost intrest in its carrer and really let itself go.
Two of the best comdeians england ever produced. Love the part about there are no toilets on this side of the Thames. I hope they will work again together in the neir future. Prefered with Stephen Fry
This is a great sketch, I loved it! This actual conversation may have taken place too, who knows... ;-) And those two delve into the soliloquy more deeply than some scholars and some university professors I know (and whose names I do not wish to remember haha)
Two episodes of series 2 as a drinking companion in Beer and more memorably as Ludwig the Invincible in the final episode. However in season 3 and 4 he was in every episode as Prince George and Lieutenant George.
@LilithMaura actually, 'To be' soliloquey was supposed to be much longer here. the editor then proceeded to trim it to the 'to be' that we know today... so he did get it right
What "shakey" really did that amazed ppl was combine genres. R&J was the first time anyone thought to combine love and tragedy in drama. The crowds would have been stunned. Also Hamlet was the first true 'character' in Elizabethan theatre, whereas the characters in Faustus, Tamberlaine, Titus and even R&J were personifications of themes.
In the top 5 greatest english comedians Hugh Laurie, Rowan Atkinson and Steven Fry are all there, and I believe some of the greatest comedians ever. Brings back Black Adder days :)
This is not bad. I had a hard time really believing that was Hugh Laurie's voice at first, but this is a side of him I have not seen before. Although I have seen Rowan Atkinson in many roles other than the "bean" one that I never call him Bean. But as for this paticular sketch, it had me laughing. It was very well played by both participants. Definately 2 thumbs up from me.
