'Allo, 'Allo

When first released for amateurs we had an overdose of productions, but now with a time lapse we are reminded of how funny and what a good play ‘Allo, ‘Allo is, and what fun for the cast as well as for audience. Good casting in this play is essential and a good idea to import some from Wymondham Players to help out. Alan and Heather Carpenter were in their element as Renee and Edith, the stage experience shows in their timing and humour, the relationships of marriage showed, they grasped all the situations and exploited them to the full, especially the lynchpin of the production Renee. Good support in the café from waitresses Marjorie Womack and Sally Elvin. And must mention the excellent set and dressings at this point, loved the multipurpose splits and side stages, worked very well. Meryl Anderson was a Michelle with a purpose and an excellent characterisation, very good timing and style. And still in the French camp, we were amused by John Smitherson as Leclerc. On to the opposition: an OTT excellent style Bertorelli from Peter Harrold working well with his German counterpart Von Strohm, with wiglet, Brett Drabble. The Flick and Helga (David Dowson and Zoe Hardman) scenes very good and the boss/admirer situation exploited well and she looked so good in the role; also the sequence of Helga with the Gruber of Guy Mallett, and the latter had his comedy chances with Renee which made the audience laugh at the timing. Finally the English camp and the role of Crabtree which is a dream to play and certainly Jon Halfacre did not miss a trick! The whole play evening most enjoyable and very good, Sue Jowett and David Dowson worked well with script and company, perhaps pace could have been fractionally faster at times but, after first night, no doubt it speeded up during the run. Must also congratulate on that programme, so very clever and amusing.

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