Audition Notice
Dad’s Army, by Jimmy Perry and David Croft
Directed by Mandy-Jane JAckson
Sunday 20th March, 6pm
For more information, audition pieces and to book an audition slot, please contact Mandy on mandyjjacksonuk@gmail.com.
Production Dates
12th - 16th July at BLT
27th - 30th July at outside location (tbc)
Rehearsals
TBC but likely to be Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Sunday (times to be confirmed).
About the Play
From the writers of Dad’s Army this wonderful homage allows for a chance to see these much-loved characters as you’ve never seen them before, brought to life by Brighton Little Theatre!
Join the troops of our very own blundering yet fearless home guard in Walmington-on-Sea for more fun than you can shake a Morris dancer’s stick at! Action packed antics for all of the family to enjoy. Nazi rascals behind enemy lines, a glimpse of the Mums behind the army, and even Lady Godiva… but whatever you do, don’t tell Pike!
Please do let me know if you are able to play a musical instrument or are a confident singer when auditioning as I am very much hoping to create a musical band from the cast, so that we can have a few musical interludes with popular music from the time and the show. With an aim to create an immersive environment for the audience and hopefully encouraging them to sing along!
Although Dad’s Army is a celebrated national treasure and these characters are iconic, please don’t let that put you off! I am not looking for impressionist performances. I believe it is more essential to capture the spirit of these wonderful characters rather than to be a look-a-like.
Following the success of the TV-Show Dad’s Army (the stage play) was commissioned in 1975 and included some of the most memorable moments and scenes from the show.
Characters
Captain Mainwaring (Accent RP) Bald caps at the double for this wonderful role. A bespectacled, unhappily married, pompous man. A blustering figure with an overdeveloped sense of his own importance, fuelled by his social status in Walmington-on-Sea as the local bank manager and captain and commander of the local Home Guard. Needs to have good comic timing and a vocal ability to take the command. This is a large role and far from one dimensional, we need to see a glimpse of his softer side too. 55 plus
Sergeant Wilson (Accent RP) Arthur Wilson served as a captain in WW1 gaining combat experience (unlike Mainwaring who has none) An upper class bank clerk and Mainwaring’s inferior both at the bank and in the platoon. Constantly questioning his authority, he has an understated social superiority, is suave, laid back and handsome. He lodges with Mrs Pike, it is never confirmed directly but is widely suspected that he is Private Pike’s father. This is a large role. 55 plus
Lance Corporal Jones (Accent Southern) The local butcher. Providing village ladies with extra sausages in return for a little company. Good comic timing is a must, be prepared to jump about as he has a fair bit of physical comedy. Despite his age he has a childlike enthusiasm for combat and has a story for every occasion often long winded. He joined up as a boy has served in the Sudan, the Boer War, and WW1. A keen volunteer no matter the task, always eager to please his superiors. 60 plus
Private Frazer (Accent Scottish) The local undertaker, James Frazer served in the Royal Navy (as a cook) A Scottish accent is required. One of the more competent members of the platoon, a crazy eyed, short tempered and serious man. Blunt as they come with a gloomy outlook, a pessimist of the worst kind. A terrible gossip but has some belting one-liners. A fun character to play! 60 plus
Private Godfrey (Accent RP) The frailest member of the platoon, the softly spoken Charles Godfrey was given the post of medic, due to the fact that he had served as a stretcher bearer in WW1. As a conscientious-objector he refused to carry a weapon. A gentle soul and bachelor living with his spinster sisters he has a tendency to fall asleep on the job and gets jostled along by the other men. 70 plus
Private Walker (accent Cockney) A black market “spiv” We never know exactly how Joe Walker managed to get out of serving at the front, as the only fit - able bodied member of the platoon… an allergy to corned beef (he says) but more likely to be a shady dealing. He often irritates Mainwaring with his wisecracks but he turns a blind eye to his profiteering in exchange for a little extra sugar! 30-45
Private Pike The youngest member of the platoon, physically awkward, a spoilt mummy’s boy, who never leaves home without his scarf. Frank Pike works as a junior bank clerk to Mainwaring and Wilson and is often the target of Mainwaring's short temper, a really fun and comic role, integral to many of the big laughs. 18 - 25
Mrs Fox A flashy woman of “ample proportions” and an ambition to play the Lady Godiva in the village parade. Mrs Fox turns heads in the village and among the troops, often received “an extra sausage” from Jones the butcher. As a widow she enjoys the company of gentleman callers and regularly has the men falling over her. Volunteer. 50 plus
Mrs Gray Recently evacuated from London to bring her mother to the relative safety of Walmington-on-sea, Fiona Gray Signs up to assist the Home Guard much to the delight of the men, with special attention from the Captain. A real lady, with a refreshing make do and mend attitude and a sense of city style. 50 plus
Mrs Pike Private Pike’s Mother, and Sgt. Wilson’s suspected lover Mrs Pike is very protective of Frank and Arthur. An attractive woman, but don’t let that fool you, Mavis can be quite formidable when she wants to be. Volunteers her assistance in the Home Guard. 45 plus
Vicar Petulant, ineffectual yet kind and well meaning. A spiritual and learned man, a master of arts, educated at Oxford yet not very quick to smile. Rather a wet blanket of a man. Any age.
Mr Gordon The Town Clerk. Mr Gordon is Jones’s love rival for the affections of Mrs Fox. He causes quite a stir with the residents of the Village when he is tasked with choosing who will play the Lady Godiva in the village parade. Described as a tall and attractive balding public figure! 40 - 60
Chief Warden Hodges ARP warden Mainwaring’s main rival in the village, a green grocer by trade but has been appointed as Chief Air Raid Warden and that power has gone to his head. As pompous as Mainwaring, he’s often described as sour faced but shows a softer side when his concern for the health of a POW gets the platoon into hot water! 40 - 50
Mr Yeatman the Verger. Often hostile to the platoon, he is ridiculously loyal to the vicar, and to his good friend and accomplice Warden Hodges, when it comes to causing problems for the platoon. 40 - 60
Ivy Samways A friend of Private Pike, a very quiet but obliging young lady who works as a shop assistant at the local sweet shop. 18 - 25
Edith Parish Walker’s sometimes girlfriend Edith is a typical 1940’s bombshell who works as an usherette at the local cinema. Along with the other ladies from the village she signs up to assist the Home Guard and likes to gossip about the men’s behaviour! 20 - 35
Miss Ironside Small non-speaking role, to be doubled with other parts. lady from the gas works with “good strong thighs” according to Frazer. Any age.
Serviceman Small speaking role. To be doubled with other parts. 25 - 45
Waitress Works in the Tea Rooms, can be a little cheeky at times but it’s well meant. A small speaking role to be doubled with other parts. Any age
Mrs Prosser Small non speaking role to be doubled with other roles. 60 plus
Private Sponge Small role, member of the platoon and may be doubled with other ensemble roles. 40 plus
Private Hancock Small role, member of the platoon and may be doubled with other ensemble roles. 50 plus
Colonel Small Role, Authoritative Voice, Doubled with other roles.
U - Boat Captain German accent. Stern and intimidating. A great fun part for a feisty female, needs to have an air of power, even when captured. Will be doubled with another female role. Female. 40 - 60
Sailors 1, 2, 3 & 4 Small roles, to be doubled with other female roles. Female. Various ages
BLT actively encourages auditionees from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and any of the above parts could be played by any race.
Following recent government announcements and changes to guidelines, the requirement for auditionees to provide evidence of double vaccination has now been dropped.