'Allo 'Allo

The escapades of café owner Rene in this stage version of the TV show were a perfect antidote to the cares of today.  The twists of the plot in war-torn France regarding the whereabouts of the painting of the Fallen Madonna and the sheltering of two British airmen kept the audience laughing. Characters were well cast and gelled together. Alistair Thomas as Rene Artois was in control, delivering his lines with weary cynicism and revelling in his two extra marital affairs. Kate Halliday nailed her role as long suffering wife and made everyone suffer with her ‘wonderful’ singing. Louise Fairnie relished the role of sexy Yvette as did Elspeth Whyte in her role as the aggressive Mimi Le Bonq. The enemy officers defined their roles: Craig Potter was a revelation and delight as the Italian Cptn Bertorelli; John Doonan perfectly played up the buffoonery of Col. Von Strohm; Alex Kemp exceeded expectations as the suggestive Lt. Gruber; and Ronnie Barnes as Gen. Von Schmelling was a real bully. Private Helga and Herr Flick were well paired and ably characterised by Pam Murray and Alex Rankine. Floating in ‘like a phantom in the night’ was Alison Carcas as the Resistance leader Michelle, switching from ‘French’ to posh English with aplomb. Likewise Caz Paul did a wonderful job with the mangled vocabulary of Officer Crabtree - and the Dutch cheeses! Shane Whittle ‘mastered’ his disguises as M. Leclerc. The pianist, peasants and soldiers added to the ambience. Costumes were apt and war period. The set was a well detailed replica of a French café down to the net curtains and a brilliant sausage cupboard.  Scene changes were generally unobtrusive with a truck used for the German Office and bedroom. The use of props of cockatoo, blown up body Hitler, German sausage and mousetrapped suspenders, as well as the comic timing of the airmen popping up through a small window and the bar, led to some priceless moments. The evening was characterised by good acting and good timing and was certainly a tonic to the audience.

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