Hamish and Dougal characters to make stage debut
Hamish and Dougal, the Scottish characters that Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden play on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, are to be brought to the stage for the first time.
Chorley Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (CADOS) have been granted the rights to put on a stage show featuring the characters.
Hamish and Dougal have been entertaining Radio 4 listeners in the Sounds Charades round of the 'antidote to panel shows' since 1979. They were given their own Radio 4 series in 2002 (Hamish And Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea), and the new stage version is based on these three series.
The scripts have been adapted by CADOS Chairman Ian Robinson, who also directs. He says: "Comedies always do well at Chorley Little Theatre so we were looking for new things to do, when we released this was something we could really put our stamp on.
"Jeremy Hardy starred in the original radio series [as The Laird] so when he did a gig here we asked if he thought it was possible, he got in touch with Graeme Garden, and he very kindly granted us permission.
"There are challenges in making it visual, especially when a throwaway radio gag needs a special prop but that just adds to the fun. It's a fantastic cast and we're having lots of laughs in rehearsals."
The cast is led by Andy Burke as Hamish with Steven Catterall as Dougal. Barry Callander is The Laird and Siobhan Edge takes on the part of their housekeeper Mrs Naughtie (a role played by Alison Steadman on the radio). The ensemble roles are to be played by Kath Ashworth, Steph Threlfall, and Ashley Hambrook.
CADOS says: "The show is full of gags and plenty of innuendo. The Independent newspaper described the radio series as 'The Beano with smut' and the aim of the cast and crew is to provide a funny and uplifting night out for everyone.
"An authentic Scottish feel will be provided by live band Still Reeling, who have been sent the music from the radio series by John Garden (Graeme's son)."
The show is at 7:30pm from Monday 12th until Saturday 17th September 2016 at Chorley Little Theatre. Tickets are £6 (Mon-Weds), £8 (Thurs-Sat), available from Malcolms Musicland or chorleytheatre.com
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