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Three war veterans and a concrete dog trying to escape a care home: we meet the cast of Oldbury Rep's new play

It's an everyday tale of three war veterans planning one last escape from their care home - with a concrete dog.

By Mark Andrews
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Last updated

Three cast members of Oldbury Repertory Theatre's new production Heroes were fine-tuning their escape plan ahead of the show's opening night on Saturday,.

Heroes, by Tom Stoppard, is a British adaptation of French playwright Gérald Sibleyras's Le Vent Des Peupliers.

Set in a care home in France in 1959, the three veterans of the First World War become convinced they are in mortal danger and plot their escape. But one of their number, Phillipe, also believes that a concrete ornamental dog which stands outside the care home is really alive, and decides to bring it along for the ride.

Mark Moran, from Halesowen, takes the role of Phillipe, with Keith Thompson as Gustav and Chris Broad playing Henri. It is the first time the trio have appeared together since they took the starring roles in Journey's End, a drama about serving officers in the First World War.

Preparing to star in Oldbury Rep's production of Heroes: Mark Moran, in the beret plays Phillippe, with Chris Broad (left) as Henri and Keith Thompson, right as Gustav. Not forgetting, of course, Gaston Du Roc, the concrete dog.
Preparing to star in Oldbury Rep's production of Heroes: Mark Moran, in the beret plays Phillippe, with Chris Broad (left) as Henri and Keith Thompson, right as Gustav. Not forgetting, of course, Gaston Du Roc, the concrete dog.

Mark, who runs the Spex Maniax shop in Hagley Road, Halesowen, said: "There's a touch of the Last of the Summer Wine about it.

"My character, Phillipe, has shrapnel in his brain, and is convinced that the concrete dog is moving. They are three very different personalities, all with their own very different ideas, which makes it interesting."

Preparing to star in Oldbury Rep's production of Heroes: Mark Moran, in the beret plays Phillippe, with Chris Broad (left) as Henri and Keith Thompson, right as Gustav. Not forgetting, of course, Gaston Du Roc, the concrete dog.
Preparing to star in Oldbury Rep's production of Heroes: Mark Moran, in the beret plays Phillippe, with Chris Broad (left) as Henri and Keith Thompson, right as Gustav. Not forgetting, of course, Gaston Du Roc, the concrete dog.

The production opens at the Barlow Theatre in Spring Walk, Langley on Saturday (November 1), and runs at 7.30pm each night until November 8.

Tickets are priced £10.