Don't Panic! It's just Dad's Army

12:30pm Wednesday 10th October 2007

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MARTIN Carroll began his acting career by making tea and sweeping the stage at the Palace theatre in Westcliff.

30 years on and he's back where it all began, performing alongside Leslie Grantham in Dad's Army.

"My family came over from Ireland but I've lived in Southend all my life," he says.

"When I was 16 a friend was doing an acting course at Southend college and I went along to look one day and really enjoyed it. I was an assistant stage manager at the Palace, which is a great way to get into theatre but is unfortunately a role that is dying out a lot now."

Martin has performed at the Royal National Theatre, toured with the King and I and appeared on television in the Bill, Minder and Silent Witness among numerous other projects.

Dad's Army is currently touring throughout the UK and will be stopping at the Palace on Monday, October 15 for a week of performances.

Subtitled The Lost Episodes, the play will be showcasing material from two episodes that went missing from the BBC files and haven't been seen since their original broadcast in the Sixties.

"Unless you remember seeing these in 1968, it will be completely new," says Martin.

"And it's wonderful that people are so excited about seeing this stuff."

It's not just the show's original fans, however, who are eager to see the play.

"Dad's Army was so well written, that's why it's remained popular," says Martin.

"But it's fascinating because when we do the shows there are ten-year-olds hanging around outside waiting for an autograph and they've got all the DVD's. We have people coming to the shows aged between eight and 80, it's great."

The stage version of one of the UK's best loved sitcoms stars Eastenders' Leslie Grantham and Peter Martin from Emmerdale. The cast range in age from 24 to 77.

"I've been really lucky with my role," says Martin.

"I'm not one of the main protagonists - I play air raid warden Hodges, he's really antagonistic and great to play. I did a bit of research into the role, Bill Pertwee played him in the original series and he said the character should be played over the top - so it's not an excuse for my bad acting I promise!

"It's such a fun role to do and you certainly remember him."

Martin, who still lives in Southend, thinks Dad's Army will work perfectly in the intimate historical confines of the Palace Theatre.

"The play works brilliantly in old theatres like that, so the Palace will be perfect for it," he says.

"It's funny that when I started my career there 30 years ago it was thought that theatre would die in 20 years. But although television and film are great, you can't beat a live audience."

Dad's Army Monday, October 15 until Saturday, October 20 Palace Theatre London Road, Westcliff 8pm and 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday Tickets: From £10.50 01702 351135