Allo Allo

Thank you very much for the kind invitation to see 'Allo 'Allo. This production was by Charlemont Dramatic Society (CADS) who completely blew me away with their one act plays earlier in the year. Receiving a warm welcome from David Payne (Front of House Coordinator) and Director Sylvia Hill added to an almost immediate feeling of relaxation, which soon reminded me of how supportive and nurturing CADS are. The support CADS received from the local community was great with a sold-out show tonight.

Also, I was really pleased to hear that CADS had recruited new members since I last saw them in March 2022, with many acting tonight.

'Allo 'Allo is set in war-torn France. The action happens in a small but seemingly popular place called Café Rene where the proprietor (called Rene) with his long-suffering wife Edith are trying to run a business. Rene is having an affair with both Yvette and Mimi with moments of physical comedy at its greatest. Rene is also hiding two British Airmen in his café and has stashed a stolen priceless portrait of The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies in a sausage!

This play is an ambitious one and with all famous sitcoms (like 'Allo 'Allo) there will always be expectations from certain members of the audience when performing well known characters. Therefore, confidence in the right casting choices could help cement the overall show. Characterisation, including accents, mannerisms and personality traits will help bring to life an instantly recognisable character. 

I saw another play recently from another company which was based on a sitcom (another David Croft and Jimmy Perry classic) and similar feelings on this production came about. I feel as long as you are successful in portraying a believable character no matter how crazy the situation, investing in the story (or situation) comes with the skill of the director and actor. Most characters were most definitely in very capable hands of some talented actors who understood the situation they were in. Fortunately, the copious and witty writing was also there to be taken full advantage of. The script is full of jokes, one liners, innuendos and risks and Sylvia Hill (Director) has the experience to know when to take those risks and push a little bit further.

Some of the jokes could have been further enhanced with more awareness of delivery and pace. Overall, there was incredible team work on stage and some well-loved characters of the TV show were portrayed with excellent skill. For example, Captain Alberto Bertorelli (Richard Corrado) was as extravagant as the TV series and of course Chad Dent who played Rene, successfully brought the show together. Both had excellent accents and utilised the comedy in the script well.

Also, another potential challenge was the size of the play in the venue of a small community hall. But the venue did not hinder the production. The set was constructed really well and the stage management and backstage crew (and actors) handled the scene changes effortlessly which resulted in little interruption. The set was of Café Rene and when the action moved on elsewhere the lights, sound and props helped create this. There was some creative use of props for example, the scene where Rene and Edith were in bed; Actually, they were still in the café on chairs, dressed in nightclothes with a sheet over them.

The lights and sound were also effective in keeping some pace, but overall they successfully created the illusion of a different setting, to show not only a café, but a cellar, a cinema and Herr Flick’s home all within the same backdrop. The scene in the cinema showed a brilliant use of lights which portrayed a projector screen, combined with authentic sound which transformed the set: these moments comfortably let you leave Café Rene behind for a moment or two.

My favourite moments in the production were when Rene interacted with the audience. The rapport brought in a wonderful crossing of barriers akin to the TV show. This was done excellently by Chad Dent who played Rene. Chad delivered some of the best all-time favourite lines, such as “You stupid woman!” which got a huge laugh. Chad was perfect for the role of Rene. Excellently cast.

Rene’s wife Edith was played by the very talented Amy Whistance, who comfortably sang out of tune. Amy put her mark on the character and fully immersed herself in this role.

Emile Tunnacliffe, Niamh Smith and Tammy Steventon who played Yvette, Mimi and Michelle were wonderful supporting characters, including the peasants Eoghann Millard and Maddie Corrado. Great work.

Eoghann also played one of the British Airmen and a German Solider. Harry Rillet also played a British Airman, a German Solider and was voice of a stuffed parrot (the secret wireless communication between France and London!). This was a great scene where Lieutenant Gruber thought Rene was flirting with him but it was misunderstood messages from the voice of the parrot.

David Hill who played Colonel Kurt Von Strohm with his “Viglet” played the character with the right sense of awareness which made his delivery of his lines funnier and his relationship on stage with Richard Corrado as Captain Bertorelli strong. They were simply a great duo.

General Von Schmelling (Ryan Corry) was excellent in his strong performance. He managed to navigate successfully around the stage with one eye covered by an eyepatch and he also had great reflexes! Crabtree (Richard Mayes) a British spy posing as a French policeman had his moments; this was not an easy part at all but Richard was able to keep his character consistent and delivered his lines well, as written. Richard complimented his scenes with complete attention and the humour followed with the situations he found himself in. A classic scene with Rene in the cellar with Gruber walking in at the wrong moment!

Herr Otto Flick (Anthony Mathias) and Helga Geerhart (Poppy James) were also a great pair on stage. Poppy stripped to her stockings and suspenders to seduce Herr Flick in one scene, then in another scene, Herr Flick (The Master of Disguise) dressed up as a female cinema usher and did extremely well walking in high heels.

The stars of the show were Daniel Farmer who played Gruber and Meshak Simpson who played Leclerc. Daniel portrayed an over-the-top camp German soldier who had feelings for Rene. I had such a genuine interest in these scenes with Gruber and Rene because I was particularly keen on watching the reactions of both actors on stage, with some of the best lines in the play. It is truly a gift of a part and Daniel completely did it justice. Wonderful work. A lot of fun.

Finally, Meshak was just ultimate energy every time he entered onto the stage. He was hilarious as Leclerc, a true master of disguise and again had some cracking lines delivered brilliantly. A truly excellent job. Sometimes when the pace wavered a little bit, Meshak arrived and brought in such an exuberance it lifted the comedy right off the stage.

Congratulations to you all on a wonderfully entertaining evening. CADS will be back with their Spring production, which will be on 26th - 29th April 2023. I am eagerly awaiting their announcement of what it will be. But I do know it will have the same spirit, care and attention which the members of CADS are so good at.

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