Here I Go Again

First read through of this year’s “Blackadder” episodes tonight. Some new faces, but most of us appeared in last years production, albeit only five of us are returning in the same roles.
We also received our rehearsal schedules. For some people it will only be once a week but the core characters (of which I’m one) will probably be required three times a week, though this will more than likely change as time goes on and we get a feel for what is working and what needs more rehearsing.
The big problem at the moment is what we do about certain lines. What was considered acceptable forty years ago feels a little uncomfortable nowadays. The choice is either stick to the script, as that’s how it was written and what our audience members who love Blackadder will expect to hear, or tone down/modify the problematic lines with a view to making them more palatable.
Not an easy problem to solve and the current chat in the WhatsApp group is very much along the lines of “so, what groups or nationalities can we get away with having a go at…”
One suggestion was anyone we haven’t ever invaded, colonised or been at war with.
Errrrmm…