Wilton’s Music Hall – until Saturday 22nd June 2024
Reviewed by Phil Brown
5*****
There’s no doubt that the events of 1939 – 1945 are deeply ingrained in British consciousness, character and culture. With the poignant celebrations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day still lingering in recent memory, it seems only apt that the sombre business of commemoration should now be leavened with humour. And what brilliantly observed humour it is – the enduring comedy that is Dad’s Army with a well deserved fresh airing at the suitably historic Wilton’s Music Hall.
Dad’s Army, a delightful sitcom about the Home Guard, was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, and originally broadcast on television (BBC1) from 1968 to 1977, running for nine series and 80 episodes. It is astonishing to think that it regularly played to audiences of 18 million! The scripts were also adapted for radio, broadcast from 1973 until 1975 over 3 series and 67 episodes and is still popular on BBC4Extra. It’s certainly a classic of the dwindling sitcom genre and virtually a British institution.
The idea of adapting the radio shows into a stage show was initially conceived by David Benson in 2017. He enlisted Jack Lane into the venture and went on to debut The Dad’s Army Radio Hour at the 2017 Edinburgh fringe. 150 theatres later, this superbly directed and executed 2 man stage show is a comedy experience that is not only equal to the original but introduces humorous elements of its own by virtue of the 2 men, 2 mics format.
For me, Wilton’s distinctive “proudly worn patina” seems perfect for this show. Popular music of the war time era plays softly until Bud Flanagan’s “Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler” signals the arrival of David Benson and Jack Lane dressed in 1940s army battle dress, encouraging the audience to sing along with Bud. They take up position at microphones placed either side of an old fashioned radio. It’s a simple stage set (Jack Lane) that brings to mind the “scout hut” nature of Warmington on Sea’s assembly hall as seen in the television shows.
This show consists of three episodes that have never been performed on radio, and so they are the cast’s own adaptations from episodes in later Dad’s Army series, which focused more on character than escapades. Benson and Lane’s adaptations are simply sublime.
Each episode is around 30 minutes in duration, kicking off with “The Love of Three Oranges” (a 1976 Christmas special), followed by “The Miser’s Hoard” (October 1977), and after the interval, “The Making of Private Pike” (October 1977).
Aside from the brilliant adaptations, the performance is superlative throughout – evidence of weeks of solid rehearsal. With 10 plus different, rapidly interacting roles to play across only 2 actors, the challenges of dialogue, timing and character switching seem immense. A lickety spit spoken show of this nature is full-on, and David Benson and Jack Lane are outstandingly good – their diction, stamina and timing are spot on throughout.
David Benson performs miracles with his major roles of Sgt Wilson (originally John Le Mesurier), Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Rev Timothy Farthing (Frank Williams), and Chief ARP Warden Hodges (Bill Pertwee).
And Jack Lane is equally supreme as Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Pike (Ian Lavender), and Mavis Pike (Janet Davies).
There are occasional characters too, as well as some perfectly timed sound effects (Daniel Pook-Barnes). But both actors are absolute masters of their “starring roles” with perfect original cast accents that never waver despite the rapid switches of character, and some wonderfully economical acting that captures the essence of each original actor.
Dad’s Army really strikes a chord even in this day and age which still seems to involve a lot of the fumbling, bumbling and misunderstanding that are key to the show. Lots of laugh out loud moments and smiling faces leaving the auditorium – the perfect antidote to an increasingly strident, confusing modern world. My one reservation about the show is the degree to which its success depends on an older British audience who loved it first time around. The fact that three young American women seated behind me found it hilarious is reassuring.
This show is a thoroughly entertaining masterclass in the performing arts by 2 versatile and extremely talented actors.