Blackadder bring ‘comedy’ to UK rail transport
Tony Robinson, star of the BBC One Period British Sitcom, has helped coach rail staff to learn and deliver new “comedy” announcements.
The new announcements, created by the writer of British sitcom Green Wing, Richard Preddy, and aim to make the Birmingham to London express journey a more enjoyable experience for passengers.
New announcements, as part of the team-up between Chiltern Railways and the UK TV comedy channel GOLD, include:
- “I’d like to welcome passengers boarding this 7.33 from Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone. If you’ve just bumped into someone who you barely know, you now have one hour and 30 minutes of awkward small talk. Good luck.”
- “For any passengers who’ve not visited London before, do please prepare yourselves for the capital’s overwhelmingly calm and relaxing pace of life.”
- “We will shortly be passing through West Ruislip where we will be racing the Underground trains. Do please feel free to cheer for our driver.”
- “Will any passengers listening to noisy iPods please get a better taste in music. Thank you.”
Tony Robinson, who played Baldrick in the award winning British sitcom, spent a month helping Chiltern Railways staff learn the lines. The announcements will also be heard at London Marylebone station.
Richard Preddy said,
“We have all waited for a train or a bus into work as the rain pours down and bustled our way to a seat and I think comedy can help to alleviate that stress.
“Everyone we met was so enthusiastic and the feedback so far has been fantastic.
“It’s important to note that we aren’t trying to turn everyone into a comedian.
“Rather we are hoping to bring out a little more of the staff’s personality and humour via their day-to-day announcements and help cheer up the commuters along the way.”
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