Kevin has a cunning plan to entertain audiences

A cardiology receptionist will swap hearts for the arts to perform the lead role in an amateur dramatics production of Blackadder.

Kevin Ridley, who works in the Heart Centre at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, will take on the role of Edmund Blackadder in Blackadder 2 at the Playhouse Theatre in Whitstable.

He will be joined by colleague Victoria Ludlow, who works in clinical governance at the hospital and will play a variety of characters throughout the show.

Kevin said: “I love Blackadder as a series so when I saw it was coming up I thought I would give it a go, but I was gobsmacked to get the part.

“It is a lot of responsibility, and I counted up the lines and there are 950 in total, so it’s a lot to learn.

“But it’s great fun, the whole cast is fantastic and I think it will be a really entertaining show.”

Kevin first took to the stage as an adult with Theatrecraft’s adaptation of Legally Blonde in 2023, and has also performed in Flint Street Nativity and A Chorus of Disapproval with The Lindley Players.

His partner Sian will also perform in Blackadder, as Queen Elizabeth.

Kevin said: “Our adaptation has all the silliness of the TV show, and I’m trying to be faithful to Rowan Atkinson’s character’s general disdain for all humans apart from himself.

“It’s actually quite difficult, as I really love people, so I am very friendly during the day then I go to rehearsals and have to switch all that off.

“It’s definitely a big role to live up to and it’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to bring such a unique character to life.”

The production is by Herne Bay-based Theatrecraft, and runs from Wednesday, 16 April to Saturday, 19 April. The theatre’s box office is open from 10am to noon, Tuesday to Saturday, on 01227 272042 or you can book tickets for Blackadder online