DON’T panic. The classic BBC TV comedy series Dad’s Army will be on parade with a stage version at the Regent Theatre in Christchurch next week.

The Home Guard of Walmington-on-Sea battle daily against the Germans and local ARP Warden Hodges in three hilarious episodes performed by the Regent Rep.

The show follows their previous success with that other classic wartime sit-com ’Allo ’Allo and their TV debut on Sky Arts 1 in the Nation’s Best Am Dram, which was screened during the run-up to Christmas.

Curtain up at the Regent on February 27 to March 1 is at 7.30pm with a Wednesday Matinee at 2.30pm.

Director Jackie Willding says: “There is a total cast of 25, including our Nazi submariners, Walmington-on-Sea bathing beauties and the battle-axe Mums who join up in Mums Army – plus eight in the band.

The script is a joy to work with, as there is so much opportunity to raise big laughs from the audience, and to highlight the wonderful characters created by these expert writers.”

“Our brass ensemble ‘The Rear Gunners’ is led by Alan Smart of Verwood Concert Brass, who has put together a group of excellent bandsmen are giving their time freely as they are all big Dad’s Army fans. The evocative sound of the live brass band will add to the vintage atmosphere, with tunes to raise the spirits.”