Mark Fits The Bill
by Scott Thornberry - 17th April 2012
One of British television’s best-known actors is to direct Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather at the Civic Theatre in Darlington this July in support of Darlington FC’s youth team.
Mark Wingett, who was a lead actor in the classic British film Quadrophenia, and who later went on to play the iconic DC Jim Carver in ITV’s The Bill for 21 years, will be re-uniting with the writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood to bring to life the greatest football story ever told.
Alf Ramsey Knew My Father follows the fortunes of the team of West Auckland miners who went to Turin in Italy in 1909 and won the very first world cup – the spectacular Lipton Trophy. The team returned to Italy in 1911 and defeated the mighty Juventus 6-1 in the final to retain the cup in perpetuity.
Mark, who appeared in Waugh and Wood’s play Maggie’s End at London’s prestigious Shaw Theatre in 2009, later directed the duo’s hugely successful “horseracing plays” Good To Firm and Raising The Stakes at the Customs House in South Shields in October 2010.
London-based Mark was in the 1982 film A Captain’s Tale, a movie about West Auckland’s world cup triumph, starring Dennis Waterman. He has also performed at the Darlington Civic Theatre.
Mark, a Portsmouth supporter, explained: “I love working with Trevor and Ed, and when I read the Alf Ramsey script I thought it was brilliant. It’s very funny and gripping in places. It’s a testament to the heroic men – and women – of West Auckland whose sacrifice and pride in their community is obvious.
“Knowing this production will be for the benefit of the Darlington youth team was also a major factor in being part of the show. As a Pompey supporter I know exactly what it’s like having your club on the brink of administration.”
Trevor Wood said: “This is a massive coup for us and the people of Darlington. Mark is not only a great actor he’s also a fantastic director.”
Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather runs at the Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday, July 24, to Friday 27. Tickets, which are now on sale, cost from £10 to £20. Box office: 01325 486555.