Dad's Army
Don’t tell ‘em your name, Pike
Dad’s Army – The Lost Episodes
By arrangement with Jimmy Perry and David Croft Directed by James Robert Carson Designed by Nancy Surman
The Lowry, Tue 11 December 2007 – Sat 5 January 2008 Press Night: Thu 13 December, 7.30pm
Interviews are available on request Two classic episodes of Dad’s Army, not seen since 1969, have been revived by Calibre Productions for The Lowry in time for Christmas from Tue 11 December. During the early seventies it was normal procedure in television production to erase tapes containing programmes for re-use. It was during this time that several episodes of Dad's Army were wiped over, never to be seen again. Until now!
The Home Guard will now be detached to Salford for an extra week longer than initially planned because the show has proved so popular. Enthusiasts of one of the most popular and revered TV comedies of all time can now see it recreated on stage until Sat 5 January 2008.
Lovingly recreated for the stage, this brand new production breathes new life into the misadventures of the UK’s favourite Home Guard platoon in their fictional South Coast town of Walmington-on-Sea. Based on writer Jimmy Perry’s own youthful experiences, this lavish new production features three episodes, including the award-winning ‘Deadly Attachment’ in which Captain Mainwaring and his loyal platoon capture a German U Boat Crew with uproarious results.
However, the highlight of the evening is sure to be the two rare and real gems - the lost episodes. The first, ‘A Stripe For Frazer’ reveals the competition between Frazer and Jones when Mainwaring offers a promotion to the rank of Corporal for one of his lucky soldiers, while ‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker’ catalogues Private Walker’s desperate attempt to avoid the draft - madcap mayhem ensues.
Jimmy Perry OBE and David Croft OBE have been writing partners since the mid-1960s and have collaborated on classic television comedies including It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Hi-de-Hi! as well as Dad’s Army. Although best known for his comedy writing, Perry has also experienced musical success, composing the signature tune for Dad's Army, ‘Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr Hitler?’ which won an Ivor Novello Award in 1971 and he received an OBE in 1978. Croft also enjoyed popular success in some of his writing collaborations with Jeremy Lloyd, including Are You Being Served? and ‘Allo ‘Allo! He was awarded an OBE in 1978 for services to television and the Desmond Davis Award by BAFTA in 1982.
This is gentle, life-affirming comedy at its very best so… who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler?
Posted on Wednesday, 28 November 2007 under Press Theatre Press