Classic Brit comedy makes Bermuda debut

Ooh la la! The saucy World War II comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo is coming to Bermuda for what is believed to be the first time.

Produced by Nicola Wilkinson, the hit show follows on from two previous Brit comedies performed out of the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society — Dad’s Army and Faulty Towers, also produced by Wilkinson.

Based on the successful seven-series British television series, the ‘uproarious’ show tells of the adventures of a hapless café owner, René Francois Artois, in occupied France. 

He and his wife Edith have stashed a priceless portrait that was stolen by the Nazis in a sausage in their cellar where two British airmen are hiding out. 

News that The Fuhrer is due to pay a visit inspires tricksters disguised as Hitler to frequent the café. Meanwhile René uses his wit to try to save both his cafe and his life.  

The show is to be performed from April 30 to May 10 —see end note for details.

All of the hilarious characters from the original will be featured in the Bermuda version including Renee’s tone-deaf wife Edith and the Gestapo officer Herr Flick.

Expect all the classic catch phrases too such as: “You stupid woman!”; “Listen very carefully, I shall say zis only once”, and “Good moaning”.

Speaking to the Bermuda Sun, Wilkinson said: “I wanted to do one more classic British comedy and I was stuck between ‘Allo ‘Allo and Are You Being Served? and I decided that ‘Allo ‘Allo would travel better across the Atlantic. 

A lot of the jokes are very old in Are You Being Served? even though it is essentially very funny and its in the same genre. 

“I thought with ‘Allo ‘Allo being set in the second world war and all the nuances that goes with that — that it would be more interesting. 

“Many of my friends who had seen it in the UK said we had to put it on here, as it is hilarious and I agree.

“There is an awful lot of sexual innuendo in this show so if you can find hilarity in the sausage then this is the show for you.”

All the uniforms have been custom made in India and are authentic to the era. Wilkinson also mentions the ‘beautiful’ set she helped to design with Martin Biffin.

Shawn Angiers is to play the main character René Francois Artois; his wife Edith is played by Jo Shane; Adam Gauntlett is Herr Otto Flick, Justine Foster is Yvette Carte-Blanche and Kim Day is Mimi Labong. Father and son Alexander and Damon Rosati perform Colonel Kurt Von Strohm and Captain Alberto Bertorelli respectively while Emma Muggleton plays Michelle Dubois.

“If you want a good evening of comedy without having to work too hard to get the jokes then this is for you,” said Wilkinson. 

The show will be performed at Daylesford Theatre  from April 24 to 29 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm; April 30 to May 3 from 7pm to 8pm; May 5 and 6 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm; and May 7 to 10 from 7pm to 8pm.