We take our comedy very seriously at BaCStage. You have to play comedy absolutely straight or it just isn’t funny.
‘Allo ‘Allo presents some interesting new challenges, not least of which is to portray a group of characters who are well known and much loved from off the telly (explainer for our young reader: “the telly” is “YouTube for old people”). We can’t just impersonate the originals; we must find the characters for ourselves.
Some of the cast are going to great lengths to find their characters. Chairman Ron, for example, has already been on three holidays this year. Historical accounts of World War II don’t give much detail on how long the occupying German forces in France spent topping up their suntans, but Ron generally knows what he’s doing so far be it from me to question his methods.
Our Herr Flick, meanwhile, has been all the way to Berlin in search of inspiration (good luck claiming that on expenses – Ed). We’re not sure he’s read the stage directions, or even the script at all for that matter, but on the other hand should the Peaky Blinders ever decamp to Germany he’ll be in with a good shout of getting a part.
Back at the Old Day School rehearsals have been progressing, but not always in the right direction. One of us thought we were putting on Das Boot, while some others decided to enact Brexit through the medium of interpretive dance.
However, Herr Direktor Gordon is on the case. When the actors step out of line he gets off the case, gets onto the stage and directs with ruthless efficiency.
BaCStage presents ‘Allo ‘Allo ~ April 2019
This amateur production of ‘Allo ‘Allo is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.
We are told that the baseball bat is also needed purely for the creation of sound effects, but one can’t help wondering whether it is a desperate ploy on the part of the director to corral the acting talent into learning their lines and not larking about during rehearsals. Only time will tell.
BaCStage are looking for a new treasurer to look after our finances for us. Previous experience of book-keeping would be useful but not essential. Our current treasurer, Jane, would like to hand the role over to someone else to give her more time for the various other things she does for us. She is more than happy to help bring the new person up to speed.
