'Allo 'Allo

For those of us who remember with affection the BBC's hilariously funny sitcom 'Allo 'Allo, created by David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd, which graced our TV screens for almost a decade from the early 1980's, this stage adaptation, performed by Water Lane Theatre Company, will have inspired and evoked our recollections of what creative British comedy was about during that time.

Set in the French town of Nouvion, during its occupation by German armed forces during WWII, the action centres around Cafe Rene.  Owner, Rene Artois, gets caught up in all sorts of chaotic situations, whilst trying to help the local Resistance with the repatriation of two British airmen hidden in his cellar, hiding a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis, concealed in a sausage, and attempting to keep his love affairs with his two waitresses from his ever-vigilant wife Edith.

As set designer with the company for more than 30 years, John Johnson-Cook, with the assistance of Granville Rush and Don Cooke, had created a wonderfully authentic interior of Rene's cafe and larder, with much attention to detail, which really drew you into the action and helped lift the whole production.  This was supplemented by the additional scene locations required in the plot, set in front of the stage apron, depicting Herr Flick's austere prison-like office stage right, Colonel von Strohm's office, complete with marble fireplace, stage left and two rows of outward facing chairs placed centrally to depict the local cinema's two back rows. This was further enhanced by an effective and well-cued lighting and sound plot provided by the technical team.  Great attention, too, had been given to the costume plot, which Nancy Jones had devised, as production manager, assisted by Penny Reeves, bringing to life all the iconic characters so recognisable from the television series.  Penny, with the assistance of Amber Cope, had also been responsible for set-dressing and for obtaining and co-ordinating the vast number of props needed too, including the all-important knockwurst sausages, which had been sourced by John Bell and Pat Batin.

Granville Rush had employed his obvious talents as Director to ensure that the admirably chosen cast were well-rehearsed in delivering the dialogue, which is renowned for its wit and humorous double-entrendres!  Liam Sheils excelled as Rene, his characterisation as the anxious cafe-owner so endearing, though I would have liked to see a little more rotundness in his physique!  Rachel Leung gave a fine performance as Rene's tone-deaf wife Edith, particularly with her off-key cabaret number.  Both Becky Faulkner and newcomer Juliet Richards were delightfully spirited in their dual roles as Rene's waitresses and lovers, Yvette and Mimi, and Lisa Turpcu put in a creditable performance as Michelle, the Resistance Leader, noted for her constant remark "I shall say zis only once"!

Richard Pink was exemplary as the formidable, but farcical Gestapo officer, Herr Flick, his mannerisms and stiffness of movement a good foil to Amanda Green's portrayal as Helga, his German confidante and accommodating lover.  Their scenes together were a hilarious highlight. Enjoyable too, were the comic duo of Colonel Strohm, well-played by Doug Sheppard and womanising Captain Alberto Bertorelli, played enthusiastically by Paul Winspear.  As the British spy Crabtree, disguised as the vowel-mangling French gendarme, John Bell confidently recreated some of the more risque elements of the plot, his scenes with Rene shockingly funny, and in particular, their attempts, joined by Yvette, at inflating the rubber blow-up Hitler doll!  Nigel Sudworth as Lieutenant Gruber, with his unorthodox affection for Rene, and Richard Lewin as General Schmelling, provided good supporting roles, as did Don Cooke as Leclerc, who as the parrot salesman brings Rene the hidden wireless disguised as a cockatoo.

Whilst the action in Act I was solid and enjoyable, Act II gathered in both pace and vitality, moving swiftly to the chaotic finale, when the various Hitler impersonators converge on Rene's cafe for the final show-down.  The high standard of the overall performance was evidence of much hard work and dedication given to the production by this very talented theatrical group, to bring this classic comedy to the stage.  Well done!

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