David Benson and Jack Lane’s remarkable two-man show brings the beloved sitcom to life on audio.
While the story of Dad’s Army‘s enduring success is well-known on the small screen, as well on film, the show also had a life on radio.
While the series was still on television, 67 episodes were adapted from Jimmy Perry and David Croft’s original television scripts for broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
The much-loved cast, including Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and John Laurie, all recreated their screen performances with reworked scripts by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles.
While those recording are available, and despite a remarkable run, thirteen episodes were never recorded. Now, three of them have now been captured for posterity.
Dad’s Army Radio Show
The Dad’s Army Radio Show is a two-man stage show which brings classic episodes to life. In remarkable fashion, actors David Benson and Jack Lane voice all the characters in an entertaining tribute to the original.
This release captures the pair performing a trio of episodes…
When You’ve Got To Go
When young Private Pike gets his call-up papers, the platoon agrees to give the lad an appropriate send-off. Meanwhile, Mainwaring and Warden Hodges declare war in their contest to win the Town Clerk’s blood donor certificate.
My Brother and I
Mainwaring gives the platoon a firm dressing down on the subject of alcoholic intoxication, only to be confronted with his own past, in the shape of his boozy brother – much to Private Frazer’s delight.
Never Too Old
Corporal Jones is in love – but will the lady in question accept his proposal of marriage?
The very last Dad’s Army episode.
Actor David Benson said:
“Both Jack and I love Dad’s Army every bit as much as the audiences who come to see us. We are not trying to send it up, to modernise it or to muck about with it in any way. We just want to give the audience as authentic and accurate a performance as we can – to be as true to the character and tone of the original as possible.”
“For us, the greatest compliment of all was when Penny Croft and the Croft family gave us their firm approval after coming to see the show on tour. We revere the work of their father so greatly, so when she said, ‘Dad would have loved what you are doing with his and Jimmy’s writing,’ we were deeply moved and honoured.
Dad’s Army – The Radio Show is available to pre-order on CD and download from Big Finish. It’s out on 16th January, 2024.
On Tour
The chaps are also out on maneuvers again in England during 2024. Their latest national theatre tour begins in Horsham on May 3rd. The show presents versions of ‘The Love of Three Oranges’, ‘The Miser’s Hoard’ and ‘The Making of Private Pike’.