Falklands : Falklands Army Raid on Godfrey's Cottage a Real Hoot
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 26.03.2006 (Article Archived on 09.04.2006)
Live firing and a precision raid made Stanley Audiences howl with laughter.
Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) A demonstration of the latest Military secret - rubber armour.
FALKLANDS ARMY RAID ON GODFREY’S COTTAGE A REAL HOOT
Rubber armour is the latest thing.
By J. Brock (FINN)
For those of you who were fortunate enough to see the Falkland Islands Operatic and Dramatic Association’s production of Dad’s Army,” a treasure house of antics, humour and a lot of fun made for an excellent evening. The show, which ran for three nights, consisted of three of the six ‘lost episodes,’ “Sergeant Wilson’s Little Secret,” “the Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker,” and “the Battle of Godfrey’s Cottage,” When it was all over “The White Cliffs of Dover” and Dame Vera’s “We’ll Meet Again” were etched on the minds of those who came and enjoyed Dad’s Army.”
Keith Biles, who played Captain Mainwaring, did an outstanding job and produced a believable and intuitive interpretation of his character. I suppose being a former, real life bank manager may have helped a bit but at the end of the day, it was his talent as an actor that made his character so entertaining. As Sergeant Wilson, Garry Tyrrell gave the audience another sterling performance, much to the delight of all present on the three nights.
Other actors – Geoff Pring as Lance Corporal Jack Jones, Matthew Thompson as Private James Frazer, Nick Barrett as Private Joe Walker, David Lang as Charles Godfrey and Tim Stenning as Private Frank Pike, worked well as both a team and as individuals to bring excellence to the performance as a whole. The supporting actors also played a pivotal role in keeping the production lively and interesting. Members of the platoon – Bernice Hewitt, Clovis Kilmartin, David Hewitt, Rebecca Arthur-Almond, and Rhys Clifford – added to the unique precision of the parades and combat exercises. Clovis Kilmartin, Rhys Clifford and David Hewitt also took on the roles of Private Sponge, Little Arthur and Captain.
Performances also worth noting for their energetic interpretations of 1940’s England are Corina Bishop, who played Mrs Mavis Pike, Martin Beacon, who played the Brigadier, Anika Clarke, playing the Charwoman, Simon Jackson for his roles of Policeman and Mr Reid, Maxine Sweeting and Ruth Taylor for playing Charles Godfrey’s Daughters, Dolly and Cissy and Dr. Diggle, who stepped in the last minute to play A.R.P. Warden Hodges.
According to Producer, Alison Ingles, the stage scenery and scene changes were the most difficult to get right, followed by a search all over Stanley and Camp to get the right props and costumes for everyone. Thanks to “Vintage Years” in Leicester a costume company found on the internet by Jason Lewis, the more difficult costumes were found in time for the show.
Members of the crew responsible for the props as well as back and front of the house were Toger Diggle (Director), Lidda Luxton (Assistant Director), Graham Didlick and Martin Cant (Technical Directors), Jennifer Jones (Scenery and Design), Diane Brown (Makeup and Prompt), Jason Lewis (Publicity and Sound Track) and Alan Jones (Video). James Barrett, Joe Birmingham, Lyn Dent, Olaf Keene, Philip Cant and Richard Fogerty were responsible for back of the stage and props and Alan Dawson, Christina Niederer, Graham France, Jean Diggle, John Birmingham, Lesley Barrett, Louise Taylor, Rene Rowlands, Sandra Picone, Sharon Middleton Shirley Adams-Leach and Sue Evans did a sterling job with the front of the house and refreshments.
I thought that in many ways the rendition of the Falklands version of Dad’s Army was believable, sensitive and well cast. It was a pleasure to watch.
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