Blackadder series hits the stage

Mr Kitching (second left) plays the lead role of Blackadder

An amateur theatre group from West Yorkshire has become among the first to get the rights to put the comedy series Blackadder on the stage.

The Follow Spot Theatre company, from Guiseley, was given permission to perform Blackadder after agreeing to give all its profits to Comic Relief.

John Kitching, who helped set up the group, contacted writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis directly.

He said: "We are beside ourselves with joy to be quite honest."

Blackadder, which starred Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny and Hugh Laurie, ran for four series between 1983 to 1989.

Blackadder was voted Britain's second best sitcom in 2004

In a TV poll in 2004, the comedy was voted the second best British sitcom of all time, behind Only Fools and Horses.

Mr Kitching said: "When I told the rest of our people they were all itching for a part.

"Unfortunately some people we had to let down but we have got a cast together which we think fits the bill more than adequately."

The play, based on the fourth series Blackadder Goes Forth, runs at Guiseley Theatre until Saturday.