Of course, it’s going to be a winner to do a much-loved
classic sitcom but, The Peoples Theatre does it with style, flare and a belly
full of laughs. Here the familiar show is reimagined for the stage to bring you
a delightful show full of chuckles. We follow Captain Mainwaring and his motley
crew as they navigate home life during the war, finding love, guarding Nazi
prisoners and even Morris Dancing!
Director Tracey Lucas brought us in with an exceptionally
strong opening, by having LCpl. Jones singing a charming rendition of ‘Who do
you think you are kidding Mister Hitler’ timed perfectly to the marching beat
of the rest of the cast parading onto stage. There was not a person in the
audience who was not won over by this, as applause rang through the theatre.
Set design by Sands Dobson, Lighting Design by Claire Brissenden and Joseph
Ingram with Wardrobe by Dianne Edwards and the team all worked hard to give a
strong sense of the period and setting of the show. Military Advisor Oskar Avery and Gun Build
Stewart Dives added an authentic feel to the piece. The whole show was a
delightful experience with even set changes made into a dance from one position
to another.
The only fly in the ointment was that some plot points of
the assembled episodes seemed to clash a little when placed one after the
other. However, the exceptional joy of the piece allows you to be carried away
with this, moving ever-onward to the next laugh.
The characters were all simply wonderful. Many actors may feel the need to impersonate
their television counterparts but instead the whole cast hit the perfect
balance of using enough of the mannerisms while bringing their own charm to the
part. It is becoming somewhat of a cliché for me to say a show at the People’s Theatre
was perfectly cast, but they keep doing it! Everyone brought something
exceptional to their role no matter how great or small. From carefully folded
tea towels, dancing and singing, to disgruntled prisoners, everyone on stage
was interesting to watch and kept you involved in the story. To mention names
seems unfair in such a large and high-quality cast, all of whom had me in
stitches. Quite frankly, words can not do justice to this production, you must
simply go out and experience it for yourself. A truly wonderful show, Dad’s
Army is showing at the People’s Theatre until 27th April 2024.
