'Allo 'Allo

This was the 4th time this company had performed this hugely funny play based on the successful David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd TV sitcom of the 1980s but the talented cast attacked the tale of cafe owner Rene and his interactions with the German military invaders and the French Resistance with gusto. Stuart McMain as cafe owner Rene Artois was outstanding - wringing out every ounce of comedy in his delivery of every innuendo, double entendre and side-ways glance. His antics in the scene with Lt. Hubert Gruber (a delightfully camp performance from Grahame Whyte) in which he is trying to hide a rather large sausage under his apron had the full house audience in hysterics! Hilary Esson was excellent as his long suffering wife Edith – her cabaret rendition of “Fifi” was as hilarious as it was cringe-worthy in it’s off-keyness. Carla Barber and Sara Stewart as cafe waitresses Yvette and Mimi were suitably sexy and flirtatious, especially in their interactions with Rene, and Yvette’s attempts to inflate the rubber Fuhrer almost brought the house down! Aneeka Anderson as the Resistance leader Michelle Dubois was another strong character and delivered her catch phrase “ I shall say this only once” with suitable gravitas. Much comedy was generated by Mike Wakefield as policeman Officer Crabtree with his mis-pronounced pidgin French. Mention must be made of Christopher Connon who took over the part of M. Roger Leclerc, in his many disguises, at a few days notice. Kerwin Robertson as Col. Kurt Von Strohm of the German garrison, complete with obvious “wiglet”, gave a strong interpretation of the inept but corrupt officer. Richard Stables as the preening Italian Capt. Alberto Bertorelli deserves a special mention for valiantly carrying on with his impression of Adolf Hitler when the elastic on his false nose snapped. Colin Jones as the po-faced Gestapo officer Herr Otto Flick was another who gave a very strong performance - what a pair of legs in black fish net stocking and short usherette dress in the cinema scene! Nina McKay as Herr Flick’s love interest Pvt. Helga Geerhart and Alex Busch as General Von Schmelling also gave strong performances. Mary Sommerville and Annick Shaw gave strong support in their guises of peasants, solders and British Airmen. The versatile set on multi-levels (and incorporating a working piano played by Lindsey Masson) made full use of the small stage moving easily between cafe, larder and offices. Ian Thomson’s accordion playing before and during the performance helped set the scene beautifully. Congratulations to everyone involved for an excellent evening’s entertainment.

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