Were You Anyone Before Dad’s Army?

THE MISSING HISTORY OF PRIVATE GODFREY

A fast-moving, entertaining play
about ARNOLD RIDLEY Actor/Writer & Celebrity
In The MISSION THEATRE Corn St, BATH

Arnold Ridley is a city of Bath boy.
Born and bred in the area, he was educated at Beechen Cliff School and Bristol University – and helped out in his father’s boot shop in Bath.

Now he’s best remembered as Private Godfrey, the much-loved character in the BBC TV series Dad’s Army.

 **** Review: “This new biographical play is engrossing, hilarious, surprising, moving and devastating by turn.”  Cormac Richards – Theatre Plays UK

Take the chance to see the play before it sets off on tour!

Dad’s Army came at the end of a long career and a truly remarkable life: Arnold survived the horrors and wounds of the First World War (the Somme in particular); then followed a start to a theatrical career when he began writing plays, one of which, The Ghost Train, has enjoyed immense and continued success. Many more successful West End plays followed – alongside a foray into the glamour of the movie-making business, which resulted in his financial ruin.

Evacuated from France in 1940, he was invalided out of the British Army and joined the real Home Guard.   Then he struggled to find a place in the new theatrical landscape. There followed many anxious years until the miracle of Dad’s Army restored his faith in himself and provided him with a measure of celebrity and security.

A well-drawn character can easily seem so complete that it’s difficult to separate the fictional character from the actor. Were You Anyone Before Dad’s Army? draws back the curtain and reveals a touching, life-affirming account of one man’s unwavering courage and resilience: a true hero – although he himself would have disowned that label!

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“This production could be on in London’s West End and sell out every night, just like Ridley’s own Ghost Train. A real theatre success!” – Felicity Fair Thompson, IW County Press

“A riveting performance that drew extensive applause from a very appreciative audience up on their feet.”  – Richard Priest, www.iwobserver.co.uk

“An excellent play.  I hope it is taken up and a UK tour results … Go and see it. You won’t be disappointed.” – Tony Pritchard, Permission To Speak, Sir! (The Dad’s Army Appreciation Society magazine

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Audience
TESTIMONIALS
– from THE WHITE BEAR Theatre, London –
April 2025

“Nicolas Ridley’s biographical play about his Father, the playwright and actor Arnold Ridley, is revelatory, funny, touching, fascinating and deeply moving.” – Paul Smith

“Mansel David’s portrayal of Arnold Ridley was remarkable, managing to hold the stage for almost two hours as his life story unfolded from early childhood to his last days in a care home. He is aided by a stellar cast of four who seamlessly and expertly switch between a myriad of different roles to describe Arnold’s long journey to finally getting the role which made him a household name … A hugely enjoyable evening.” – Ingrid Freebairn

“Graham Pountney’s expertly-directed production is a wonderfully poignant and affectionate portrait of Arnold Ridley. It’s a rich story of ups and downs, tragedy, success, bad luck, and occasional bad financial judgement, that fills out our sense of the character we thought we knew, giving us a fuller portrait in depth and breadth. It is a warm, loving, comedy tribute to an actor well-known and well-loved, but whose real and moving story we could not have guessed at, and were delighted to discover.” – Michael Carrier

COME AND SEE IT in MARCH

 4 Performances only – Tickets on sale Now!

Call: The Bath Box Office – 01225 463362

 “A thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming experience!” – Kenn Michaels

“Funny and poignant in a perfect balancing act. So beautifully written with humour and tenderness that does justice to a wonderful life.” – Lucy Wurstlin

“Well-crafted, moving, funny and compelling.” – Christopher Grace

“I am so pleased I saw this play. You pulled off something really unusual – you kept the emotional connection and momentum while telling a true story.” – Gill Kirk

“A fascinating story … cleverly crafted in a great production.” – Cecilia Lemos Harmer

“What a story you told …” – Sue Green

“I found it very moving …” Leonard Young

“Wouldn’t have missed it.  Amazing man, brought to life by an entertaining production. Gets 5 stars from me.” – Ed Read Cutting

“Atmospheric, moving, affectionate – and funny. With a powerful central performance from Mansel David and a dizzyingly versatile supporting cast, this is a splendid tribute to a remarkable man. I want to see it again!” – Judy Garten-Sprenger

“I was very moved by your play. And your father’s life was extraordinary. I liked the way you told the story and released bits of info at various intervals, so we were left wanting more!” – Kate Price

“It was a sensitive, often funny, portrayal of Arnold Ridley … The cast of four supporting actors playing a multitude of parts was impressive and entertaining. Never a dull moment.” – Mary Sandbrook

“A balance of pathos and humour that makes for a fully satisfying evening at the theatre. I really do hope that this play gets the exposure it so richly deserves, as I feel it has appeal to a very wide range of potential audiences, young as well as older.” – Mike Harris

“Superbly written, acted and directed, this is a compelling story, at times funny, at times poignant, which charts the highs and lows of a remarkable life.  For those of us lucky enough to have known Arnold Ridley, Mansel David’s portrayal is uncanny.” – Chris Newell

“I’m sure the play has the potential to go much further, touring the country and packing in audiences just as it has in Newport and London.” – Tom Jensen

“Thank you for providing us with a highly entertaining evening out.” – Peter Charlton

“A terrific central performance by Mansel David aided by a first class ensemble. A poignant love-letter to a cherished national figure. Informative and touching in equal measure.” – David Hampshire

“A thoroughly enjoyable, amusing, well-crafted play to watch. Well done!” – Jane Walton

“Went to the matinee that was full to bursting. Excellent show, must have legs. Loved it.” – Sarah Whitlock

“A moving, brilliant triumph. Were You Anyone Before Dad’s Army? is a rare theatrical gem – funny, touching and ultimately deeply moving. Nicolas Ridley’s script is both sharply witty and profoundly humane, capturing the poignant absurdity of ageing, identity and legacy with grace and intelligence. It’s a story that resonates far beyond its premise, drawing you in with its humour and leaving you quietly reflective by the end. Mansel David gives a brilliant, utterly believable performance as Arnold Ridley – warm, layered and heartbreakingly honest. He carries the emotional weight of the piece with remarkable nuance. The supporting cast, too, is excellent – each actor brings depth and personality to their role, creating a rich and cohesive ensemble that truly brings Ridley’s world to life. This is theatre with heart, and it deserves to be seen by a much wider audience. I left the performance feeling moved, entertained, and incredibly grateful to have witnessed it.” – Rupert Jones-Parry

“This production is a heartfelt and true depiction of a real 20th Century life. From the death of Queen Victoria, through two world wars and bitter, creative struggles, it never flinches from the sharp edges that bruise and cut the sensitive soul of Arnold Ridley. It’s deeply moving, often laugh-out-loud funny but always filled with the honesty of a son writing about a father. Imaginative and engaging direction uses a brilliant ensemble cast, whirling around the bewildered Arnold, buffeted by chance but ultimately finding comfort in his own skin.” – Nicholas Briggs

“I found myself laughing as much as I did crying throughout this beautifully delivered production. Nicolas Ridley’s way with words continues to move and astound me; he captures the essence of his own father’s life with such grace, insight and quiet magic. Mansel David embodied Arnold Ridley with real conviction, supported by an excellent cast. The stage design—costumes, props, lighting and sound—was superbly executed, ensuring a seamless and engaging pace throughout. This was far more than a play; it was a deeply felt tribute to an extraordinary life, crafted with extraordinary care. – Catherine Brandon

“A sensitive and compelling portrait of Arnold Ridley (1896—1984), who most of us remember as Private Godfrey, the aged volunteer in Captain Mainwaring’s Home Guard unit. Nicolas Ridley’s play uncovers Arnold’s unswerving love of the theatre, both as a playwright with a number of pre-war successes, and as an actor over more than six decades. As Arnold Ridley – admirably portrayed by Mansel David in this production -reflects on his life, we observe a man seriously wounded in both World Wars, financially ruined by an ill-fated film venture, yet somehow struggling on in the post-war era of the theatre, where traditional three-act plays had been replaced by the social realism of the 50s and 60s, and an out-of-work actor’s life was spent ‘waiting for the phone to ring’. Arnold’s story is told with humour and compassion, paying tribute to his understated but constant resilience and courage. A must-see for anyone interested in human values and the life of the theatre.” – Charlotte Rolfe

“Were You Anyone Before is a poignant and powerful portrayal of the man behind the beloved Dad’s Army character, Private Godfrey. Far beyond the gentle figure we thought we knew, Arnold Ridley’s life unfolds as a truly extraordinary journey—marked by unexpected twists, quiet heroism and heartfelt moments that border on the unbelievable. This moving production will have you laughing, shedding a tear, and walking away with a deeper appreciation for the remarkable life behind the familiar face.” – Lottie Scott-Bowden

“The eventful and often moving backstory of an actor loved by millions …” – Richard Hoare

“What a lovely evening! Rarely have I seen an audience so engaged with a piece of theatre. This delightful telling of the real story of such a well-loved character clearly struck a chord. Mansel David’s strong central performance, supported by the talented, versatile cast, created a world gone but definitely not forgotten!” – Jane Claire OBE

“This is the fascinating story of Arnold Ridley, best known as Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army, covering his life from childhood until his death aged 88 in 1984. This is a fast-moving play, both poignant and funny, and always interesting. I strongly recommend it.” – Timothy Hunt

To Book Tickets & to find out more:

Call: The Bath Box Office – 01225 463362

Vectis House, Pitts Lane, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 3SU
contactus@theatre-reviva.com
Tel: 07812047195
www.theatre-reviva.com
THEATRE REVIVA! CIC Company number 13627155