Attleborough Players

After a six month rehearsal schedule, the Attleborough Players staged their most ambitious production to date, with producer Hugh Lynch in charge, it was guaranteed to be a classic, based on the popular TV comedy series.

This was the original play written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, which followed the adventures of René, the hapless café owner in war torn occupied France as he and his wife Edith struggled to keep for themselves the priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis and kept in a sausage in their cellar. Add to that the embarrassment of hiding two british airman, a wireless disguised as a Cockatoo, plus matters came to a head with news that the Führer is the visit the town.

The role of René played by Andy Woodrow was a triumph of comedy timing, and underplaying, making the role is own creation, which is difficult when the audience have a pre-conceived idea, after watching the television series for many years.

Edith, his long suffering wife was played with style, by Anne Greenwood normally singing and doing choreography, she excelled by an over the top dance sequence and lousy singing, and both Anne and Andy bounced the comedy lines off each other. The two waitresses, Yvette and Mimi, played by Debbie Thatcher and newcomer to the players, Victoria Jones, played their comedy to the hilt, most memorable being Yvette and Crabtree the policeman who gets his words round the wrong way expertly played by veteran player Neil Loveday trying to blow up a rubber Hitler, which had a leak from his trousers.

Expert casting with Peter Long as the petulant Herr Flick and his girlfriend Helga played by Becky Caton, Colonel Von Strohm played by Terry Ward, Capt Alberto Bertorelli played by Graham Smith and the very camp Lieutenant Gruber played by Philip Hinchley.

Strong support with comedy timing, even Barrie Paul in the role of "It's me Le Clerc" put his own stamp on the role. Gasps from the audience as six foot plus General Von Schmeling played by newcomer Robert Taylor played the sinister "I'll shoot a few peasants" German leader. Michelle from the "Resistance", played by Sarah Thomas kept the airman and their secret plans in check with Carole Hinchley, Lisa Seager and Wendy Roberts supporting the cast, as the British Airman and German Soldiers. The lighting and set design, when considering the constraints of the Connaught Hall, were used to the best effect. The costumes where inspired even down to Capt Bertorelli's dead chicken on his head!

This is probably the largest audience we have played to for a play and judging the enthusiastic response, it was a triumph for the players and, as Chairman, I am very proud of everyone concerned with the production.

Regards,

Graham Smith
Chairman - Attleborough Players