The classic 80s sit-com ’Allo ’Allo comes to Bolton Little Theatre (BLT) next week as an experienced cast brings René, Edith and the gang to life on their main stage. “It’s a very well written comedy really," said director Richard Leigh , “So many TV adaptations are just series of episodes strung together – but this is the purpose written stage play which Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft wrote for the original cast and that they toured with during the 1990s.” The story sees René trying to hide a priceless painting in his cellar for both the German Town Commandant and the Gestapo — so clearly one of them is going to be disappointed.
It’s hidden inside a knockwurst sausage hanging in René’s cellar – although he secretly plans to outwit both of them by replacing it with a forgery and selling it himself after the war. “René is trying to keep everyone happy and save his own skin into the bargain.” said Simon Mott who takes on the role of the hapless café owner.
Simon is a seasoned performer and director at the theatre, although he admits: “I don’t think I’ve had to do a French accent on stage before – still, there’s a first time for everything.” Despite it being a very experienced cast, there are several new faces for BLT audiences including Mark Weatherall as ‘LeClerc’, Ashley Hambrook as ‘Gruber’ and Paul Ward as ‘General von Schmelling’. The newest face though is Ania Pankiewicz who takes on the role of ‘Yvette’, one.
