Dad's Army Marches On

Queen's Theatre

Review: Jo Wood.

I'M not an expert on Dad's Army, despite seeing plenty of episodes over the years. Fortunately I had an expert to take to the theatre with me, in the shape of my 10-year-old son Ethan.

Dad's Army Marches On was an affectionate tribute to the well-loved classic sitcom. The actors seemed to have been cast according to their ability to do accurate impressions of the original characters, and surprisingly they seemed to relish the roles rather than find them restricting, and all gave slick performances.

Authentic costumes and props showed life in wartime Walmington-on-Sea, and the well-loved material was just what the audience wanted.

My favourite moments were the pastiche of Brief Encounter when the blustering Capt Mainwaring says a tearful farewell to his 'special friend' Mrs Gray at the railway station; and Jones' retelling of his Battle of Omdurman experiences which were touching and heroic.

Lesley Grantham, as the spiv Private Walker, did a fine job in his Arthur Daley-style role. The show was comprehensively stolen by Timothy Kightley who was born to play Mainwaring (Ethan thought it actually was Arthur Lowe); the lisping Richard Tate with his "They don't like it up 'em"; the outrageously Scottish Kern Falconer as Taff; and Maitland Chandler who made the quiet and elderly pacifist, Godfrey, his own.

Running during the Easter holidays made it possible for children to see the show — and what a revelation it was for them. Gentle humour and warm characterisation are just the thing for them to learn all about the Home Guard without realising it. Perhaps the theatre might consider more of this creative programming to encourage young theatregoers?

Ethan had the choice of Dad's Army or Clash of the Titans at the cinema. On the way home I asked him whether he'd made the right choice? Still buzzing, he replied: "I'm glad I chose to see something I won't get the chance to see again. I can see the film anytime." There's nothing to top the live theatre experience.