Mainwaring Attraction

With its parade of well- loved characters and depiction of a more innocent age, the Dad’s Army sitcom, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has a special place in the nation’s heart.

But given the perfection of the original article, this journey from screen to stage – ostensibly to air the “lost” episodes that were erased by the BBC – will be seen by some as a pointless exercise.

How to avoid lapsing into live comedy karaoke?

The answer is you don’t, but this nostalgic production, which is staged by arrangement with the original writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft, has much to recommend it.

Firstly, there’s the heady atmosphere that comes from sharing the auditorium with a throng of Dad’s Army aficionados. A mood which is greatly added to by a soundtrack of classic World War II songs like ‘Bless ‘Em All’ and ‘There’ll Always Be An England’.

Then there’s the excellent ensemble cast that features some fine vocal impersonations of the original characters.

There’s a slow start with a tale that sees the newly promoted Scottish malcontent, Frazer, turn crazed despot. But the audience are so pleased to see these re- commissioned characters that they overlook the lacklustre storyline.

Timothy Knightley does a sterling job as Captain Mainwaring, and David Warwick is an intriguingly machiavellian Sergeant Wilson compared to John Le Mesurier’s eternal gentleman.

Happily, the pace picks up towards the end of Act One, when Leslie Grantham’s music hallesque Private Walker looks to be in serious danger of being called up.

After the interval, the material is more solid and the cast have relaxed into their roles. Captain Mainwaring stoically bears his demotion to the role of Private and there’s an entertaining riff on the English class system in this Leah- like fall from grace.

Sensibly, director James Robert Carson saves the best until last. The platoon’s capture of a German U- boat Captain and his crew is an endearing ode to British incompetence.