Dad's Army

Recreating the popular BBC television sitcom Dad’s Army could be risky business, unless you have a large pool of males to draw on. For Launceston Players director Jeff Hockley, there was a good choice and casting was spot-on. Dad’s Army is a much-loved production, with the crowds enjoying the fun and nostalgia. The Home Guard, affectionately nicknamed Dad’s Army, was a defence organisation of the British Army during the Second World War. It was a last-line defence, but also served a morale-boosting purpose.

There could have been a danger of cliché and stereotype when presenting Dad’s Army the entertainment, with over 80 episodes of the oft-repeated television show to draw on. If there was any, the audience didn’t care. They wanted to become involved with the Walmington-on-Sea, Sussex regiment of the Home Guard. Directors Jeff Hockley and Mark Horner and the production crew gave them what they wanted - a funny, unashamedly patriotic, farce. The script was two of the three episodes of the published text, with the addition of the “Floral Dance” from the stage show.

Familiarity with the material was a plus-factor for the audience. With a large crew and lots of themed attention to detail, including screened advertising faithful to the war period, excellent costumes and props, and a dedicated cast, this was a fun night. Hockley and Horner drew out good performances. The overall impression was one of well-drilled shambolic nonsense, and it worked, although the play, to me, felt more like a revue with skits, rather than a contained script.

Casting was the crucial factor of this production. Antony Butchart (Captain Mainwaring) was beautifully blustering, Jeff Hockley (Sergeant Wilson) played the role with droll, dry humour, Greg Parkinson (Lance Corporal Jones) was a believably sweet, wet romantic, and Matt Taylor (Private Pike) performed the role of local gormless nincompoop with great conviction.

The war motto “Keep Calm and Carry On” came across as “Stick Together and Muddle Through” encapsulating the courage and hope of a nation trying to make the best of things. The ensemble factor of a theatre cast and a nation (and its allies) pulling together to achieve a purpose was beautifully in syncopation. As a ‘memorial play’ and as a fun night of nostalgic entertainment Dad’s Armyhit the mark - well done, Launceston Players. 

Merlene Abbott

Images: Suzie Hinds Photography