Rowan Atkinson is to bring back Blackadder and Mr Bean in his first West End sketch show in 40 YEARS
From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.
Rowan Atkinson, 71, is to perform 30 nights at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from February 2027, reuniting with Blackadder co-writers Richard Curtis and Ben Elton for brand-new material.
Rowan Atkinson, 71, is to perform 30 nights at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 8 February 2027, reviving beloved characters including Blackadder, Mr Bean and Gerald the Gorilla in a show called 'Rowan Live'. The comedian is reuniting with Blackadder co-writers Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, plus composer Howard Goodall, and the production will include brand-new material written especially for the run.
Curtis, who first watched Atkinson perform in 1976, says 'all that magic, that unique comic genius, is still there for all to see.'
Atkinson himself admitted as recently as December 2025 that a full Blackadder revival would be pointless — making this live-only return his carefully controlled compromise.
Priority booking opens at 9am on 7 October, with public booking following at noon the same day via LW Theatres.
