Ivy's Opening Night Looms

My name is Myra Thomas and I've become addicted to Blackwood Little Theatre! I joined a few months ago, to help behind the scenes. Then began the preparation for Dads Army. I was asked by the lovely Peta Maidman (Director) to prompt, and happily agreed. Within a few weeks I had become further engrossed and was sooo pleased to be asked to play the small part in Mums Army (with lines too!) of Ivy Samways, the obliging lass from the sweet shop. Rehearsals have been great, plenty of laughs and lots of good company.

So here I am a few days before opening night and hoping that all goes well. If Captain Mainwaring lets me join the ladies section then I will get to spend time with that lovely lad Frank Pike!

Myra Thomas will be playing Ivy Samways

It's going to be a great production, with lots of laughter, so please come along to see my stage debut with the wonderful actors that are part of Blackwood Little Theatre.

Permission to Speak, Sir?

Permission to speak, my name is Steve Dobson and I am playing Corporal Jack Jones, the butcher that doesn’t panic – well not much anyway!  Last time I was in uniform on the Blackwood Little Theatre stage I was playing a Nazi General in 'Allo 'Allo and the role must have been extremely taxing because I fell asleep in the changing rooms and missed my cue!  There won’t be a repeat of that ignominious episode this time around; Corporal Jones is far too hyperactive for that to happen.  I will leave the sleeping to Private Godfrey. 

Steve Dobson as Corporal Jones in Rehearsal.

As always rehearsals have been a lot of fun and watching the talented cast develop their characters is nothing short of inspiring, although I wish Private Fraser would be careful with that Whiffling Stick, they don’t like it up ‘em you know!  

Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones

I remember watching Dads Army as a kid, it was one of my father’s favourites, and it is surprising how fresh and interesting the characters still are.  It is wonderful to see comedy that can achieve belly laughs without the need to descend to the level of most of today’s profanity strewn humour.  

This truly is family entertainment, so round up the kids, put on some 40’s attire, wave your Union Flags and come along and enjoy some great value fun.

Dads Army and the Newbie

I am the new  kid on the block! At 61 new is probably not the correct word but new to the Blackwood Little Theatre stage.  

I have been involved with BLT for a couple of years,  firstly as an audience  member and then helping with fund raising and now on the executivecommittee.  Almost for fun and something to do on one Tuesday evening, I attending the casting reading  for  Dads Army. To my great suprise, Peta then offered my the part of  Private Hancock which  I was well chuffed with! 

After 3 weeks of rehearsals,  Peta  came to me and said  that they were not keeping Hancock  in  and I felt somewhat deflated that my acting career finished before I had even learn't the line (singular)!

However, she explained that I was being 'bumped up the ranks'  from private to Colonel Pritchard!   Not even in my years at KFC did I get promoted that fast !! 

Robert Raglan.  The Original Colonel Pritchard in Dads Army

Also,  in 'The Godiva Affair', I get to play the role of  'Mr Gordon', the Town Clerk of  Walmington on Sea.  Watch out for the word 'Fleshings' in that one!  

So after one school nativity play 1956   ( I was a sheep)  then a school play (as the Judge in Toad of Toad  Hall) I am back with a credit rating of -6.... so beware! 

Eric Longworth as Mr Gordon, the Town Clerk.

In all honesty, there is more than  a little pride in keeping up my  family tradition -  not acting though!  My Grandfather was a sergeant in the Kenley Home Guard in 1942.    He was rather like  'Wilson' in that he  a bit of a ladies man!   Sadly,  I took after my mothers side of the family and can cook well!

Do come along and see my long awaited return to the stage....its been a while.....and join in the fun of Dads Army at Blackwood Little Theatre.

Colonel Graham Harrison!