Allo Allo

Allo Allo
Written by: Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft
Directed by: Stephen Fudge
Performed by: The Wayfarers Drama Group
Venue: Theatre in The Hut (Weston Super Mare)
Date: 31st October. 2025
Noda Rep: Mike Purnell

Set against the backdrop of this modest stage, this production of Allo Allo
proves that size isn’t everything when it comes to theatrical impact.
If there’s one thing we are never disappointed with at Theatre In The Hut it’s
what clever use is made of the terrific sets we are given. This was no
exception. The clever use of scenery transformed this limited space into a
bustling cafe, a secret resistance hideout, and a Gestapo office. With the
clever use of banners to give us an insight into exactly where we were, the
scenes were made very clear to us. The clever lighting pools also helped this
I questioned did we need the banners? but they did solidify where we were.
The set design was resourceful and imaginative, capturing the spirit of
wartime France whilst leaving plenty of room for the shows trademark chaos
and slapstick.
It is worth pausing to remind ourselves just how significant the original
television version of “Allo Allo” was running for nearly a decade. It became
one of the most recognisable British sitcoms of its era, with its catchphrases
and larger than life characters entering popular culture. Audiences tuned in
week after week, not only for the farcical plots, but also for the warmth and
consistency of its ensemble cast, who managed to balance absurd comedy
with genuine affection for their roles. Against that backdrop, your group’s
achievement is all the more impressive. They have remained true to the spirit
of the show, capturing the essence of the characters without slipping into
caricature, and re-creating the feel of the original with care and respect. The
familiar rhythms, the comic timing, and the playful exaggeration that defined
the television series are all present here, Reminding us why “Allo Allo” was
such a phenomenon, and why it continues to delight audiences in live
performance. Also just to mention some great music choices were chosen, I
particularly loved hearing Edith Piaf, wonderful.
You certainly cannot argue with the audience reaction and excitement that
was very present in the performance the night we attended, and to think we
have “Allo Allo 2” to look forward to in the spring must be very exciting for
this cast, it’s rare you get a chance to recreate any roles so to develop the
story further must be very exciting and I bet you cannot wait to get back to
the rehearsal room. I for one can’t wait to see it.

Costumes and Props
I understand these were hired? what a boom that must have been. Everything
certainly felt completely correct and the props worked a treat. The set was
always well dressed and the Café which was the basis of the set felt very
authentic.

Rene Artois. René is a demanding role, requiring the actor to juggle exasperation, wit, and
the constant partial interruptions that drive the play. In this production, you
gave a solid performance that captured much of René‘s weary humour and
sly self interest. Your timing with the ensemble was generally effective, and
you managed to keep the story moving even amidst the chaos. Sometimes
the accent was a little dodgy, but I don’t think you left the stage for more than
a couple of minutes and had a huge amount to learn so all credit to you.
You maintained a consistent presence on stage and provided a reliable
anchor for the rest of the cast. Very enjoyable, well done.

Edith Artois
Edith was a real highlight of the production. You showed strong comic timing
throughout and brought great energy to the role. Your cabaret scenes were
especially funny, delivered with confidence and a wonderful sense of
character that had the audience laughing and engaged. You provided a
wonderful contrast to René‘s weary pragmatism, and your performance
insured that the farcical humour was both lively and memorable. Overall, you
added sparkle and humour, staying true to the spirit of “Allo Allo”while
making the part your own.

Michelle Dubois
From the moment you entered you brought the character’s trademark blend
of charm, wit and sly determination to life with effortless ease. You delivered
the lines with crisp comic timing. Your French accent was both convincing
and delightfully exaggerated in the spirit of the show. I liked your ability to
balance Michelle’s seriousness as a Resistance leader with the playful
absurdity that makes “Allo Allo” such a beloved farce. Good job.

Officer Crabtree
This character is always going to be a highlight with audiences. You captured
the character’s wonderfully mangled “Frinch” with good comic timing,
ensuring the audience laughed at every mispronounced word. Just a small
note, a touch more vocal projection would help some of the jokes land even
more strongly, that said the characterisation was excellent and the audience
enjoyed every moment you were on stage.

Yvette and Mimi. Yvette delivered a consistently strong performance, showcasing her

experience and stage presence. She brought confidence and clarity to the
role, handling both comedic timing and character detail with ease.
Mimi - I understand was making her debut, you began with a touch of
nervousness but quickly found your rhythm as the play progressed. It was
inspiring to watch your confidence grow scene by scene and by the second
half you were fully engaged bringing warmth and energy to your character.
This certainly highlighted your potential for future roles.
This pairing of Yvette’s seasoned skill and Mimi’s emerging talent created a
dynamic balance on stage. Yvette’s steadiness allowed Mimi to flourish and
together they created a good balance.

Herr Flick
This was a wonderfully assured performance. From the moment you stepped
on stage, you remained fully in character, capturing the cold, calculating
presence of Flick with impressive consistency. Your commitment never
wavered and the audience was drawn into every scene you appeared in.
What I found clever was your ability to balance the sinister edge of Herr Flick
with the sharp comedic timing the role demands. You knew exactly how to
lean into the absurdity, and your deadpan delivery earned genuine laughs
throughout the show.

Colonel Kurt Von Strohm 
This was a charming and confident performance, the wig added great style
and you wore it with comedy flair. On stage you had a strong presence and
your timing was sharp. Your focus maintained throughout even if not part of
the action.

Captain Alberto Bertorelli
You brought a wonderful mix of charm and comedy to the evening. With your
exaggerated Italian flair and playful mannerisms you added a lively spark to
every scene. Your character was full of energy, and you’re over the top
delivery made him a memorable part of the team.

Helga Geerhart
This was a consistently strong performance always staying perfectly in
character. Your timing was sharp, your expression spot on, and you never
once broke the role. You looked flawless in the costume which added to the
authenticity of your presence on stage. Overall, this was an engaging and key
part of what made the production so enjoyable.

Lieutenant Hubert Gruber
This was a performance full of energy and expressive detail. Your facial
expressions and body language added depth to the role, yet you played the
character completely straight, which made the humour even more effective.
The balance between lively delivery and a serious approach gave your
performance a unique charm. Enjoyable.

General Von Schmelling
You certainly brought a strong stage presence that immediately conveyed
authority, ensuring the character stood out whenever he appeared. Your
diction was clear and precise, lending weight to the dialogue and making the
most humorous lines resonate with the audience.

Monsieur Leclerc
You brought the character to life with warmth and comic eccentricity,
capturing the essence of the bumbling resistance messenger by adding your
own charm. This performance felt very authentic and at the same time
delightfully fresh.

All other parts
All the ensemble cast delivered strong performances, each inhabiting their
characters with conviction and humour staying true to the spirit of “Allo Allo”
Well done all.

Director (Stephen Fudge)
The direction of this production of “Allo Allo”was a clear testament to both
your skill and passion, working with a small stage is never easy, yet you
manoeuvred the cast with precision, ensuring that no one was ever blocked
and that every performer had their moment to shine, the staging felt mostly
fluid and purposeful, allowing the comedy to unfold naturally without losing
pace or clarity.
I loved how you demonstrated a very keen eye on movement, arranging
actors so the action remained visible and engaging from all angles. Your care
for this show was evident in many details, from the timing of the jokes to the
balance of ensemble scenes. I really think comedy is the most difficult skill to
direct. Every audience is different and we’ll pick up on different things each
night this is where a great cast comes into their own when they can adjust
and pick up pace or slow pace down if necessary you certainly had a good
team around you.

As I said earlier you certainly can’t argue with the audiences reaction we all
loved it. I hope you came away very pleased with the production you created
and are now fired up for “Allo Allo 2”.
I feel very sure we are all looking forward to it.
Thank you, Wayfarers for another terrific enjoyable evening. I look forward to
seeing you very soon.
Best wishes
Mike Purnell

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