Allo Allo 2 – The Camembert Caper

Allo Allo 2 – The Camembert Caper … staged and performed by Southport Dramatic Club at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport on Wednesday, 18th September 2024

Based on the classic BBC Sitcom ‘Allo Allo’ a TV programme littered with larger-than-life characters, many catchphrases and which is still one of my ‘favourite’ TV programmes of all time… one that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so!  In the ‘Camembert Caper’ we are once again invited to ‘Café Rene’ in the French village of Nouvion during its German occupation in 1942 for an evening of cheesy fun and innuendo! The villagers, aided by members of the Resistance, are again trying to outwit their German occupiers, this time in an attempt to recover 50,000 francs hidden in a Camembert cheese which is needed to fund their attempt to repatriate two British airmen.  Employing every devious means they can think of, including a cabaret event featuring Madame Edith’s singing and a hilarious can-can dance performed by the airmen, resistance and cafe staff… which was hilarious and well worth coming along just to see and hear that!  So, as instructed, we sat back and ‘Listened very carefully, because we knew ‘It Would Only be Said Wurnce!'

Production Team … staging plays adapted from TV series not only comes with expectations, but in most cases problems!  Adapted scripts, created by merging different parts of TV episodes together, usually means … short scenes, many scene changes which usually result in many stop/starts moments. This can, and usually does slow a production down … which I’ve highlighted many time before, but, I do think with the ever so experienced Margaret Mann (Director), Kate Miles-Roberts (Shadow Director), Peter Beswick (Stage Manager), Set Designers Alan Gosling/Pete Beswick and the SDC Construction Team they really did manage to overcome many of these issues and should be congratulated on their efforts.  OK, we still had many ‘blackouts’, but they never became obtrusive, nor did they slow the play down much. Sets/scenes were changed in ‘semi darkness’ by the cast/crew who we could see (i.e. waitresses re-setting the café, it looked authentic). We never spent lengthy periods of time in complete darkness … it became very obvious that Margaret had a ‘plan’ and with the help of a well-rehearsed and committed cast, a great set and dedicated stage crew … the play just flowed!  Be proud one an all!

The Cast … if like me, you’ve probably seen most, if not all, the episode from the original TV series, more than once, and let’s face it… who hasn’t… then you know exactly what to expect and the characters you’re going to meet, along with their mannerisms and catchphrases.  As I said backstage at the cast meet… recognisable characters bring certain expectations and the cast of twenty-six did a great job in providing us with those characters. They all played their respective roles with confidence, energy and assurance, whilst creating many of those recognisable characters…

Simon Armstrong played ‘Rene Artois’ our lead, Helen Bennett played his wife ‘Edith Artois’ café owners  
Helen Pritchard/Ceri Watkins played ‘Yvette Carte-Blanche’/’Mimi Labonq’ respectively… two sexy waitresses, both work in café, both in love with Rene
Cate Leight played Resistance Leader ‘Michelle Dubois’ … ‘Listen very carefully, I will say zis only vonce’.
Rick Waller played ‘Monsieur Alphonse’ … Belgium undertaker in love with Madame Edith
Sandie Keane played the mother of Edith … ‘Madame Fanny La Fan’
Ed Davies played ‘Monsieur Leclerc’ who Rene describes as ‘Man of a Thousand faces, Everyone the same’
Steven Pritchard played ‘Col Von Strohm’ … corrupt German Commander
Chris Gerring played ‘Lieutenant Gruber’ … perhaps gay, has crush on Rene but who has a ‘little tank’
Tom Ashcroft played ‘Captain Geering’ … German Officer, odd chap, can’t get the salute to ‘Fuhrer’ right!
Chris Smalley played the ruthless ‘Herr Flick’ of the Gestapo, exaggerated limp … fancies Helga
Helen Pickavance played ‘Private Helga’ … Secretary to Col Von Strohm… lover of Herr Flick
Gary Simpson played ‘General Von Klinkerhoffen’ … ruthless Commander, loves the ladies
Nathan Colman played ‘Officer Crabtree’ … British Spy posing as French Police Officer… ‘Good MOANING’
Giles Davidson/Howard Kernahan played ‘Flight Lieutenants Fairfax and Carstairs’ respectively … British Airman trying to get back to ‘Blighty’ … having difficulties!
Ensemble included Corinna Davies, Zoe Findlay, Suzanne Grey, Wendy Cox, Dave Cox, Joshua Jones, Fi Billington, David Sidley and Teresa

I’m not sure we actually had a ‘showstealer’… again, I thought the success of the play was down to ‘the whole’, rather than an individual, but never one to ‘sit on the fence’ … I would like to identify MY ‘fab four’… MY favourite four characters or should I say, in some cases, ‘couples’ starting with our ‘leads’ ‘Rene Artois’ and his wife ‘Edith’ played ever so well by Simon Armstrong and Helen Bennett respectively. Simon created a wonderful ‘Rene’. Leading from the front with his asides to the audience that drove the plot …his recognisable mannerisms and facial expressions, just added that little extra. Helen, did just as well creating a wonderful ‘Edith’. Confident, assured and just as recognisable as ‘Rene’… and who could forget Helen’s rendition of ‘Lily Marlane’… brought the house down… be ever so proud you two!  Two more gems… ‘Private Helga’ and the ruthless ‘Herr Flick’ played respectively by Helen Pickavance and Chris Smalley. Again, got the characters just about right. Loved the comedic elements and the togetherness of the two… confident, assured, well done you two, great job!  Probably the most recognisable of all the characters, has to be ‘Officer Crabtree’ who was played by Nathan Colman. To get this character just right had to be a challenge, a challenge accepted by Nathan. The accent, the mannerisms, the comedic character were all there as was the needed connection with both audience and cast.  Nathan did a great job, be very proud sir! Finally, I’m back with my couples although I am slightly cheating really, it’s our ‘alluring waitresses’ from the Café Rene… ‘Mimi Labonq’ and ‘Yvette Carte Blanche’ played by Ceri Watkins and Helen Pritchard. Again, anyone who’s seen the TV series will know the importance of these two characters … and Ceri and Helen did them proud. Confident, assured, alluring, played well alongside Rene … both did a great job. Just before I move on, two quick references… absolutely loved the ‘Can Can’ who didn’t, brought the house down and ‘what makes a good show great’ they say the ensemble/chorus … we had nine ensemble members, who whenever or wherever they were on stage, always looked interested and engaged, never detached, their involvement and the attention to detail … made this production complete, be very proud you nine!

Staging/Tech/Set …  the set/staging set on two levels was, as always here for an SDC production first rate. As stated previously, with the many scene changes addressed, as was the stage furniture and props within those scenes, the production flowed very well … all handled with great thought, efficiency assurance, all adding to the overall enjoyment of this play … as stated above its congrats to Pete Beswick (Stage Manager), Alan Gosling and Pete Beswick (Set Design) and the SDC Construction Team for its build and to cast and crew for the changes ... be very proud one and all.  Lighting Design was by Scott Crawford and operated by Michael Boardmen… looked good throughout.  Sound looked after by Debbie Moss and Rob Murtagh.

Wardrobe/Costumes… great set of costumes which enhanced the production ever so much, adding authenticity to the production… under the watchful eye of Sally Bartlett and SDC Wardrobe Team

Props… again first rate and used effectively … handled by Phil Povey, Fi Billington and Hannah Knowles.

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I and thanks to Adrian and Kate Miles-Roberts for looking after us both throughout the evening, we thoroughly enjoyed the production.  Also thanks to SDC for allowing me and along with the VIP party to go back stage and meet the cast and say a few words at the end of the evening.

Hope to see you all again soon, already looking forward to Shelia’s Island.

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep
 

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