'Allo, 'Allo

I was very pleased to be asked by Gary Winn to review Berwick's production of 'Allo 'Allo on his behalf. I was made very welcome, being greeted by one of this year's Directors, Louise Wood. Although this was her debut as Director, her partnership with experienced Denise Clarke seemed to work very well with their dual input culminating in an overall successful production. I was impressed by (Steve Sadler) in the strong leading comic role of Rene. His comic timing and expressive portrayal of this ageing lothario worked perfectly throughout the show.  His ever adoring and love hopeful wife Edith'(Sandra Storey) was larger than life, owning the stage during her 'cabaret'  supported by Yvette (Laura Catterall) and Mimi (Amy Cowan) who were both perfectly cast.  Herr Flick (Stuart Faed) and his submissive assistant Helga Geerhart (Andrea McIver) had a wonderful partnership.    With her provocative strip and his hilarious antics as a cinema waitress they both adding greatly to the production.     Norma Miles' interpretation of Resistance member, “I'll say this only once” 'Michelle', encompassed sexual elegance and good diction. Her side-kick Officer Crabtree (Josh Brimson) was slightly more difficult to decipher, as the role requires, but for his first time on stage was a courageous undertaking. Simon Landels played a convincingly gay Lieut Gruber being a-party to some hilarious awkward situations.  LeClerc (Bill Shardlow), Capt Bertorelli (Michael McLean), Col Von Strohm (Ray Howell) and Gen Von Schmelling (Derek Butler) all put their stamp on their role to draw every bit of comedy from this farcical piece of theatre. I'm so glad I had been able to take up Gary's offer.      Well Done Everyone.

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