'Allo 'Allo

IT MIGHT well be two years since Lindley Church Amateur Operatic Society last performed a full-blown musical production, but the Society is very much alive and kicking.
That was certainly very much in evidence when the Society played to almost full houses at St Phillips Parish Hall with three performances of the hilarious former BBC comedy 'Allo 'Allo.
It should have been four performances, but the General Election forced them to abandon the Thursday performance with the Hall being used as a polling station.
Nevertheless, the Company should be pleased with their efforts as the Society continue to re-build after a couple of turbulent years which has seen a completely new committee and set of officials driving it forwards.
In an innovative move, the Hall was arranged cafe-style (to mirror the on-stage set) which made for a very relaxed ambience.
James Creegan took on the huge role of Rene (made famous of course by Huddersfield's very own Gorden Kaye) and did a fabulous job, immediately endearing himself to the audience with a warmth of character which Kaye himself would have been proud of.
Society chair Pauline Hirons was a suitable foil for him as his wife Edith, while treasurer Lynne Silcock and Rachel Clegg were Rene's pair of amorous waitresses Mimi and Yvette.
There were plenty of other fine performances, especially from Dominic Comber-Moccia as Captain Bertorelli, Anna Tiffany as Helga and David Slattery as Herr Flick, while Ian Roberts was an effective Lieutenant Gruber and really nailed the accent.
As with all farces, the real success depends largely on the slickness and timing, which could have done with being a tad sharper, but producer Chris Comber must have been pleased with the end result, which was certainly appreciated by the audience.

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