DVD Review: Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out
Published February 07, 2008
All the while, during the 80-minute show, Robinson scurries manically back and forth across the stage. While it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of Robinson’s routine, it can be sometimes slightly distracting.
Much of Cunning Night Out is composed of little stories and reminiscences — and quite a bit is biographical. Robinson’s reminiscence of filming Worst Jobs in History (which is shown in the US on The History Channel), is particularly amusing as he explains some of the unusual (and quite dangerous) situations into which he fell. Like several of the television series in which he has starred over the years, Robinson’s stand-up comedy teaches as it entertains. British comedian Eddie Izzard has called Robinson a “god of history.”
The DVD extras include several audience question and answer sessions, including a segment about his days on Black Adder. Asked whether there might be a Black Adder reunion, Robinson replied to the audience that plans had been in the works for a series set in the 1960s with Black Adder as the illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth II. However, he said that those plans were indefinitely placed on hold because Hugh Laurie, who co-starred in the final two seasons of Black Adder, had suddenly become the “second most famous man in America.”
If you enjoy history and cerebrally low-brow (oxymoronic as that sounds) comedy, or if you are Black Adder aficionado, you will enjoy Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out. Available from Acorn Media on DVD February 19.
- DVD Review: Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out
- Published: February 07, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Culture: History, Video: Performing Arts, Video: Television
- Writer: Barbara Barnett
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You are entirely welcome and very kind. Acorn media are releasing quite a few British gems, including Hugh Laurie's 2003 series Fortysomething. I will be reviewing that one in a couple of months in advance of its release. So stay tuned :)
Barbara
Baldrick "I have a cunning plan Lord Blackadder!"
Adder: "Yes Baldrick, before you devulge the details, let me remind you that you also had a cunning plan to solve your mother's low ceilings by cutting her head off!"
While Blackadder is babbling on about something, someone begins knocking at his door.
"Baldrick, go get the door" and he continues.
A moment later Baldrick appears clumsily fumbling with... the front door.
In exasperation Blackadder prounounced, "Baldrick, I'd advise you to make you next emplanation phenomanally good."
Baldrick: You said to get the door my Lord.
Two foot soldiers are sitting just within earshot of eachother. A grating scraping noise is coming from one of them as the other looks over annoyed.
BlackAdder: Baldrick, what are you doing?
Baldrick: Well sir, They say that every man has a bullet with his name on it."
Blackadder: And?
Baldrick: Well I figured if I scratched my name on this one and kept it in my pocket, no one could shoot me with it.
Blackadder hides his face in his hands and shacks his head in disbelief...
Great comic bits by the great Ben Elton (and company) as expressed by the perennially obtuse Baldrick (much to the chagrin of the Black Adder himself.)
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Thanks! You do find the most interesting things! It's always worth a visit when I see your name on a review.