Dad’s Army!

Starring: Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den, EastEnders)

Showing Monday 03 March to Saturday 08 March 2008 at Blackpool Grand Theatre

They were Britain’s last line of defence! They were Dad’s Army!

Don’t Panic! They’re back! An hilarious treat for the whole family with the welcome return of one of the most popular and revered British comedies of all time, Dad’s Army. The original BBC TV series first screened in 1968 soon became a comedy classic, running for nearly ten years and capturing the hearts of millions with its gentle, timeless humour and bulldog spirit.

Lovingly recreated for the stage, this lavish new production with a starstudded cast, including Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den, EastEnders), breathes new life into the misadventures of our Home Guard platoon in their fictional South Coast town of Walmington-on-Sea. This production will offer a unique opportunity to see the lost episodes after the originals were erased by the BBC. So, unless you saw them back in 1969, this will be your only chance!

This is gentle – ultimately life-affirming comedy – so who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler?

The Unexpected Guest by Agatha Christie

A stranger lost in the fog… an isolated house… a brutal murder… a houseful of suspects. They’re all familiar ingredients in a murder mystery, but few crime writers can weave them into a compelling tale with the deftness of Agatha Christie, and it was a sheer delight to witness the Agatha Christie Theatre Company performing this famous play at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on the 9th November.

An all-star cast, including stage and screen legend Susan Penhaligon, EastEnders star Dean Gaffney and BBC presenter Richard Blackwood, breathed life into the characters in a subtle, complex tale of deceit.

As is typical with Agatha Christie’s work, the play was extraordinarily well paced, an uncomfortable atmosphere of tension gradually building as the characters’ motivations became clear. A gradual drip-feed of facts turned the archetypal “whodunnit?” scenario into something far richer and more rewarding.

Even in terms of stage design, the play came up trumps - a relatively sparse room contrasted starkly with the bold African frescoes above, like the events of the past overshadowing the present to terrible effect. Themes of cruelty, loyalty and seething resentment made for uncomfortable viewing, while a succession of twists and red herrings kept everyone guessing until the final shattering exposition.

An outstanding cast delivering sterling performances, a taut script, and engaging stage direction - these are the hallmarks of a truly great night at the theatre, and all were present at this outstanding production.

To find out more about this show, click here to visit the Blackpool Grand Theatre website.