'ALLO 'ALLO (SEASON ENDED) (December 2003) Artwork copyright © Anne Monsour 2003

'ALLO 'ALLO

By Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft

Directed by Leo Wockner

This enjoyable comedy has a large cast playing a range of outrageous and recognizable characters.

Based on the hugely popular TV comedy series, the stage version of 'Allo 'Allo follows the adventures of René, the hapless café owner in war-torn occupied France, as he and his wife, Edith, struggle to keep for themselves a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis and kept in their cellar.

René is hiding two British airmen and is endeavouring, with the help of the Resistance, to repatriate them.

However, communications with London through a wireless disguised as a cockatoo add to the many embarrassments he endures in the company of his patrons. Matters come to a head with the news that the Fuhrer is to visit the town and the café becomes filled with tricksters intending to impersonate Hitler before the event.

René will need all the wit he can muster to save his café and his life . . . !

Health Warning! There hasn't been much to laugh about recently. This play is seriously funny, and so if you are out of practice, we recommend you undertake some prior laughter exercise regime before seeing it.

Director's Notes

Those who have seen 'Allo 'Allo in television almost universally say "Yeah! That was FUN".
All of us have seen movies and TV shows about the Second World War, set in various parts of Europe.
Only a most serious and tragic event like a world war can give rise to so many stories.
When these stories have been told, it follows naturally as night follows day, that the stories themselves become the basis for more stories, and it is in this category that 'Allo 'Allo falls.
A hilarious mad-cap farce which has grown to cult proportions gives wonderful opportunities for actors to act and audiences to laugh.
A range of characters who frequent a French café provides a setting for never-ending humour and conflicting situations which poke hilarity and cheekiness to great heights.
Authorities are challenged, various loyalties are tested, as we follow the lives of René and Edith as they run their café during the German occupation of their villiage.
It is doubtful authority was this inept, or whether any group of people could achieve what René's friends and contacts achieve and manage to survive such a life-changing event.
The plot is thick with the various enemies, resistance fighters, spies (on whose side are they?) concealed radios, priceless stolen paintings, devious plotting all being carried out under the noses of the innocent villagers and the occupying forces.

As year 2003 comes to a close, here is a great chance to escape our demands, sit in comfort, and relax and laugh at the great lengths all go to, to survive their various dilemmas. A big cast make 'Allo 'Allo a night to remember.

Leo Wockner
Director

The Cast

(Click the highlighted name for a picture of the actor).

The French
René	David Jones
Edith	Pat Wockner
Yvette	Samantha Tierney
Leclerc	Brian Erbacher
Michelle	Jill Cross
Claudette	Fran Campbell
Mimi	Jane Binstead
Accordian Player	Rod Thompson
Peasant	Nola Grimshaw
Peasant	Norm Pledger
The Germans and Italians
Colonel Kurt Von Strohm	Bruce Stanley
Captain Bertorelli	Terry Wockner
Herr Otto Flick	Leo Bradley
Helga	Emma Powell
Lieutenant Gruber	Robert Gettons
General Von Schmelling	Brian Cannon
The British
Crabtree	Patrick Mullins
First Airman	David Cannon
Second Airman	Ben Whitehouse

The Crew

’ALLO ‘ALLO at McElligott Theatre St Laurence's College, Stephens Road, South Brisbane
Fri 5^th, Sat 6^th, Fri 12^th, Sat 13^th December 2003 at 8pm,
Matinees Sun 7^th at 2pm, Sat 13^th at 2pm and Sun 14^th at 5pm.