MEMBERS of the local community are being invited to take part in a stage production of the classic TV sitcom, Dad's Army.

Project Play will come to Weymouth Pavilion for the first time next spring, as well as returning to the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

Previous productions have included The Vicar of Dibley in 2018 and 'Allo 'Allo earlier this year, both of which proved extremely popular in Yeovil, Frome and Wimborne.

In 2020, the communities of the two towns will come together in a shared read-through and audition process, giving participants the opportunity to perform in two iconic theatres in the region.

Project Play offers theatre enthusiasts the chance to be involved in a professional production of a popular play that will attract a wide ranging audience. The non-profit organisation is free to join and welcomes budding actors from across the south west to get involved.

Matthew Rock, producer of Dad's Army, said: “Project Play is for anyone who enjoys being on stage, acting or being part of a production in any capacity. Acting roles will be decided through our audition process, but we also invite would-be directors, stage managers, stage crew, costumiers, assistants and anyone who would like to be involved in the project to get in touch with us.”

He added: “Anybody interested in auditioning for acting roles can find out more by visiting the Project Play Facebook page and sending us a message.We hope as many people as possible from Weymouth and Yeovil will be able to join us; there will be a friendly and encouraging welcome for everybody from the Project Play team.”

Tracey Rawlins, who played Edith in one of last year’s productions of ‘Allo ‘Allo, also said, “Project Play is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in community theatre. I had a warm friendly experience and can’t wait to audition again.”

Dad's Army is a BBC television sitcom about the British Home Guard during the Second World War. Running for nine series between 1968 and 1977, the series regularly gained audiences of more than 18 million viewers, and continues to be repeated worldwide.

In addition to Weymouth and Yeovil, Project Play will present Dad’s Army at four other locations: Burnham-on-Sea, Frome, Chippenham and Wimborne. It will run at the Octagon Theatre between Monday, April 6 and Thursday, April 9, before coming to Weymouth on Monday, May 4 until Thursday, May 7.

A script read-through, with the opportunity for find out more and ask questions, will take place at Yeovil Railway Centre at 7pm on Thursday, September 5. Auditions for all acting roles will then be held on Sunday, September 15, at the Octagon Theatre.