THE MORRIS DANCING BOOK KEEPER

A few years ago I bumped into our esteemed chairman who mentioned, in passing, that the theatre were thinking of putting on Dad’s Army and asked if I fancied a part. Of course I replied positively. Fast forward to the present day and I am not only on the cast list but also an integral member of the exec committee as treasurer. I often scratch my head asking how this all happened but that is the wonder of Blackwood Little Theatre. Once the door is open you never want to walk out. I have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the fold and am extremely excited to be back on the stage twenty five years after my last jaunt. Back then I played the title role in Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy and was baulked at and stared at every night by a very scary Peter Musto. It was a wonderful experience and a fond memory of both my younger days and smaller waistline! That play was directed by mum and I can only imagine how happy she would be to see her little boy back on the BLT stage.

In Dad’s Army I’m playing the part of Private Cheeseman (a photo journalist for the Eastbourne Gazette) who was played by Talfryn Thomas in the original tv series. Whilst it is a small speaking part I am on stage throughout including the morris dancing! When I googled the character I discovered that David Croft once wrote that, whilst there was nothing wrong with Thomas’ ability as an actor, the character was “irritating without being funny”. I can only imagine that I am therefore type-cast into this role!  

 

Talfryn Thomas - Pvt Cheeseman

All in all it’s been great fun to be back on stage with such wonderful and seasoned actors and I was made to feel at ease from the very first get-together. It’s been very educational to see the experienced cast members filling their roles with ease. Whilst we have had a smaller rehearsal period than normal all the cast have pulled together quickly and a great camaraderie has been built between us all. We have certainly had many laughs along the way which I hope the audience will gauge when the curtain goes up in a few weeks time!

Tim Bennett