'Allo 'Allo at malvern Theatres (From Ledbury Reporter)

'Allo 'Allo at malvern Theatres

3:19pm Monday 8th June 2009

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A FRENCH cafe owner, resistence fighters in raincoats, a big sausage and a statue of the fallen Madonna with the big boobies will all be part of the fun when ‘Allo ‘Allo! comes to Malvern Theatres next week.

The stage version of the hit sitcom with silly accents opens on Monday, June 15, and runs until Saturday, June 20, and actress Vicki Michelle, better known as sexy French waitress Yvette, promises a show with all the fun and family appeal of the much-loved original television programme.

“I think ‘Allo ‘Allo! was successful because it was so wonderfully laugh-out-loud funny. Families grew up with it and loved it and now it is back as a stage show people are coming to see it as families, mums and dads, grandmas and grandads, and introducing it to a new generation.”

Original cast member Vicki is joined by Hi-de-Hi! actor Jeffrey Holland, who takes on Gordon Kaye’s role as Renee.

“Jeffrey is a good friend and a great actor and it’s been brilliant working with him. He makes a wonderful Renee. His timing is perfect,” she said.

She described the stage show as like a long episode of the sitcom “with all the favourite bits” that everyone remembers.

“There’s the sausage, the fallen madonna and all the usual hiding, seducing and confusion,” she explained, adding that after so many years playing Yvette, the breathy over-the-top French accent was second nature.

“I love my part playing Yvette and I love doing comedy but it can be daunting.

“It’s brilliantly written and some of the cast are so uncannily like the originals it’s quite spooky. So far the audiences have loved it because it’s everything they loved when they watched it on television.”

The sitcom, which ran for ten years from 1982 to 1992, has fans all over the world, including in Germany.

“Sometimes it’s dubbed sometimes sub-titled but everyone still finds it hilarious,” said Vicki, although she couldn’t explain how so much of the humour of the sitcom, the silly French and German accents translated for audiences in other countries.

The touring stage production follows the success of a one-off episode marking the 25th anniversary of the show, which was released last year, entitled The Return of ‘Allo ‘Allo.

The stage adaptation has been equally well received with audience members sometimes turning up in costume as French maids, resistance girls and German officers - a compliment to the much-loved characters.

Listen very carefully. I shall say this only once. Tickets for ‘Allo ‘Allo! cost £16-£24 and are available from Malvern Theatres on 01684 892277.

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