"LISTEN very carefully, I shall say zees only wance". These words are synomous with 80s comedy 'Allo 'Allo! – and this summer Northern Ireland audiences can get reacquainted with the comedic antics of René Artois, his hard-suffering wife Edith, Michelle of the Resistance and German soldiers Colonel Kurt Von Strohm and Captain Hans Geering, thanks to one of our leading amateur theatre companies.
The Belvoir Players, who are celebrating their 48th year, have chosen this classical comedy farce as their annual summer show. "'Allo 'Allo! is one of the most hilarious shows on television. I watched some of the old episodes recently and they are as funny as ever. This stage production is just good fun, it's in-your-face comedy – you don't even have to think about it," says Richard Mills, who plays René.
In the show, set in German-occupied France during the Second World War, cafe owner René always seems to have his hands full. He's having affairs with most of his waitresses, he's keeping his wife happy, he's trying to please the German soldiers who frequent his establishment, and he's running a major underground operation for the Resistance. Quite often, the Germans' own incompetence is what nearly lands René and his cohorts in hot water.
The stage show is written by Jeremy Lloyd & David Croft, who penned the hugely popular BBC comedy. Most of the original cast performed in the three London stage runs and international tours which ran from 1986 to 1992. Despite content which may be viewed as politically incorrect in today's world, on stage and screen 'Allo 'Allo! is as popular as ever. Made up of farcical set-ups, physical comedy, amusingly ridiculous fake accents, a large amount of sexual innuendo, and a fast-paced running string of broad cultural cliches, the fact that it's still a hit today is down to it being "a hilarious piece of writing", Richard believes.
"It's very picture postcard and there are several sexual innuendos which wouldn't be PC. There is talk of The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies which featured quite prominently in the TV series. We are billing it as suitable for over-14s but to be honest you would be very thin skinned if you took offence at anything that is in it.
"We have 16 principles in the cast but it's one of those plays you can put in as many extras as you like in with German soldiers wandering about or peasants in the café. It descends into complete, total, absolute farce with numerous Hitlers and Geerings running around."
And is René still having affairs with the waitresses? "Whenever possible," he whispers in a husky broken-English voice. "The comedy of it is that they aren't speaking French, they are speaking English and when the English airman come on they can't understand what they are saying."
A founding member, chairman and artistic director of Belvoir Players, Richard has seen the drama society go from strength to strength. In 2000 they opened their new purpose-built rehearsal studio in south Belfast which provided many opportunities for expansion within the group. Their Theatre Academy boasts over 250 aspiring young actors between the ages of 5 and 18 and their summer scheme also gives members the opportunity to develop their understanding and technical skills in producing and performing a show in just two weeks.
"Amateur dramatics in Northern Ireland is very healthy at the moment. There's a very strong festival movement and the interest and standard of performance of the young people in our academy is phenomenal, with many going into professional theatre."
In arguably their greatest achievement to date six of their members have been chosen by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to represent Northern Ireland in their 2016 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Play for the Nation. After performing in Belfast's Grand Opera House from May 31 to June 4, they will reprise their roles on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Developed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, the RSC have been selecting six actors from regional theatre companies to take their place alongside the professional cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In Belfast the roles of the mechanicals, the under-prepared, yet loveable bunch of craftsmen and women who put themselves forward to entertain royalty at the end of the play, will be played by: Christopher Curry (Quince, the Carpenter), Christopher Darcy (Snout, the Tinker), Trevor Gill (Bottom, the Weaver), Maggie Gorman (Starveling, the Tailor), Jessica McGreevy (Flute, the Bellows Mender), Robert McGregor (Snug, the Joiner).
“Belvoir Players are a terrific community company whose inclusive work ethic really impressed us," RSC Director Erica Whyman said. "Their experience and hard work shone through in the audition; treating the text with great muscularity and bravery, not allowing themselves to be intimidated by Shakespeare. Trevor is going to be a very funny Bottom and their confident stage craft is matched by a wonderful dose of Belfast spirit.".
:: 'Allo 'Allo! runs at the Newcastle Centre, July 3-4; Enniskillen's Ardhowen Theatre, July 16-18; Ballyearl's Courtyard Theatre, July 24-25; Armagh's Market Place Theatre, August 7-8; and Omagh's Strule Arts Centre, August 14 and 15.
