Dad's Army

If ever proof were needed that the right show would attract an audience then TAB’s production of Dad’s Army provided it.  The combination of gentle humour and a double dose of nostalgia was enough to attract a full house on Friday night and I suspect full houses every night.  Why a double dose of nostalgia? Mostly it’s the memory of the hugely successful 1970s TV comedy series but there is also an element of collective pride in the successful British outcome of the global conflagration that was World War II. The latter was most obvious from the warm and emotionally-charged response, albeit expressed in typically British reserved style, to the beautifully sung interludes provided by Mandy Oliver. Designed to provide the cast and crew with time to change set and costume the authenticity of the wonderful sound was as though Vera Lynn were in the room. This direct link to the 1940s underscored the seriousness of the original context but the passage of time has mellowed the perceptions of the wartime home-front and replaced them with a cosy feeling of protective warmth. Hence the audience willingness to participate in and enjoy the Bud Flanagan classic at the opening of the show and revel in the antics of some of TV’s favorite characters.

What a treat to see how TAB’s cast has so ably inhabited roles that were Saturday night favorites for years. Terry Cole’s Captain Mainwaring was a joy to watch and the episodes dramatized showed a new side to the Captain’s character, with the gentle love affair between him and Mrs Gray (gently pitched by Rita Vange) evoking sympathetic sighs from the audience. Roger Saddington captured the slightly effete charm of Sergeant Wilson to a tee and Bob Ryall’s Corporal Jones was consistently funny.  David Saddington’s Private Frazer injected some Scottish “doom” into the play and there were plenty of comic moments from Privates Walker, Godfrey and Pike (John Mabey, Peter Eyre and Martin Baker respectively). There was a large supporting cast, including Mum’s Army, U boat crew and parish worthies of Walmington on Sea, offering good opportunities for some acting experience in a highly enjoyable production. No doubt the success of this excellent show will generate a good surplus over production costs and royalties and it is especially generous of TAB to donate that surplus to the Royal British Legion.  Congratulations to all. 

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