'Allo 'Allo

The removal of the front tabs made a big difference and really opened up the stage; using the pros arch as part of the set made for a great effect. The stage itself had been sectioned off, with the added height up stage it allowed the scenes to be played in a separate space which worked very well. It was very funny to see Hilary Smith playing Old Mother Artois, sitting up in bed watching what was going on for most of the play. The café part looked very like the TV version and felt familiar.

There was a huge cast including some younger members who, although in non-speaking roles, dressed the stage well and helped to bring the right atmosphere to the café, making it look busy and authentic. Vicki Shortland and Anne Churchill as Yvette and Mimi respectively were true to the TV characterisation and their heights perfect for their amorous moments with Rene. Janet Rose was Edith to a T; her cabaret was brilliant. I loved her costumes; the dresses were very authentic and looked of the time.

David James played Ernest Leclerk and made the part his own. Gaynor Smith was Michelle “I shall say this only once” Dubois who made most of her entrances with great aplomb, through a strategically placed window. Another funny characterisation and managed her quick costume changes very well.  

Hugh Farey, Dan Peglar, Conor Stobart as the main German and Italian soldiers depicted their parts well and stuffing their ears with cheese in the café scene was subtly done. Nikki Ivison was amazing as Herr Flick and made a very convincing Gestapo Officer, and her rapport with Caroline Millington as Helga, was evident as they acted well together. Additional Comic moments came from John Berry as Captain Crabtree who was pretending to be the hapless Gendarme and Evan Pardoe-Mathews and Brad Tabberer-Catt as the two airmen – ‘What Ho!!!’.

The other supporting cast did a great job, but the star of the show was Mark Cox who played Rene. He kept the pace flowing throughout and his comic timing had the audience crying with laughter. His easy manner and effortless interaction with everyone on stage made it a joy to watch. It can’t have been an easy role to undertake but Mark made it look effortless and his accent, as did many of the others, stayed true throughout which again is a great accomplishment.  I really enjoyed ‘Allo ‘Allo, thank you Conquest Theatre for a fun evening.

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