René Artois is back behind the counter of Café René, doing his best to survive another day in occupied France. Unfortunately, keeping out of trouble is impossible when a priceless hidden treasure, a mysterious Camembert cheese, and a cast of eccentric resistance fighters, German officers, and unsuspecting locals all become entangled in a brand-new scheme.
As misunderstandings multiply and secret plans unravel, René finds himself caught between rival factions, impossible demands, and a series of increasingly ridiculous situations. With disguises, deception, and classic ‘Allo ‘Allo! humour at every turn, The Camembert Caper delivers a fast-paced comedy packed with mistaken identities, double-crosses, and laugh-out-loud chaos.
Join René, Edith, Yvette, Herr Flick, Helga, and many familiar faces for another hilarious adventure where nothing goes according to plan—and that’s exactly how they like it!
Suitable for audiences of all ages and perfect for fans of the beloved British comedy series.
‘ALLO ‘ALLO 2
THE CAMEMBERT CAPER
Based on the original BBC TV series written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft
Adapted by David Pibworth, David Lovesy, and Steve Clark
This amateur production of
‘ALLO ‘ALLO 2 is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French, Ltd.
www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
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Noda Review
Society: St Peter Players
Production: ‘Allo ‘Allo 2 – The Camembert Caper
Date: 29 August 2026
Report By: Judith Watsham
Thank you for inviting me along to your summer production and for your welcome – plus the opportunity to talk to Ruth Corner, your excellent Director. You attracted a full house too and the expectant buzz from the audience added to the atmosphere which was enhance when the well-known signature tune was played and the lights dimmed. Good seating at tables too!
I know I have said this before but when I see a TV sitcom turned into a play, there is always such a huge problem for both the Production Team and the cast. The characters and settings are so well known to the audience – not only the set itself but also the appearance, speech patterns and mannerisms of the entire cast, all of those elements have to be taken into account along with the need to make them fit into the space available as well as the appearance of the actual performers. This is a delicate balance as it is too easy to ape the originals. All of you got it just right.
As far as the visual elements are concerned, I feel you had little choice but to stick to the well-known costumes, hair/wigs and make up from the TV. No credit in your programme for the latter two, so I assume you all managed your own? I noted that the costumes, Liz Peskin and Ruth Corner, were mostly hired in and were all just right and as expected by your audiences.
Lighting, Les Brewer, and Sound, Paul Richardson were, as always with the Players, very well executed. Excellent lighting picked out the two areas for the German offices and the funeral parlour.
The complex set was designed by Ruth, Liz and Tina Barclay and very well built in-house. Having seen the limited space you have in the wings, thank you so much for the tour, Tina, I was amazed by the speed of the changes, especially with a huge bed to be set. Good use was made of the DSR and DSL areas for the scenes which were not ‘chez Rene’ – bit of a squeeze at times but you made it work. No SM or crew credited in the programme but I would guess that cast members helped out here?
Jason Congerton’s programme was good and fairly easy to read but I wondered if you intended the pages to be quite as dark, especially at the edges?
It is always good to see that the Players are thriving and welcomed several newcomers to the company for this production, amongst whom was Russ Clancy who took on the challenging role of Rene Artois. Russ, you lived up to our expectations and gave us the Rene we anticipated. Your accent was very well maintained throughout and your nervous pleating of your apron spoke volumes and really matched your permanently worried expressions.
The entire cast maintained good accents throughout whether French, German or British.
As wife Edith, Liz Peskin also lived up to expectations with a dreadful singing voice too! Liz never disappoints and you just were Edith Artois!
Tina Barclay gave a delightful performance as Madame Fanny La Fan. Totally in character as always although I suspect you were probably helping out backstage as well?
Peter Heaps played the love-struck undertaker, Monsieur Alphonse, well. Your appearance was just so right and your mannerisms well defined. Yours flirtatious approach to Madame Edith contrasted well with your lugubrious, money grabbing character too.
The two waitresses, Yvette were played by Marika Manzanero and Mimi by Cathy Davidoff. You both judged your performances and reactions very well.
Having started his evening as front of house on ticket checking, Steve Cubbage then appeared as Monsieur Leclerc in a variety of unlikely and totally penetrable disguises and well timed semi-asides to the audience.
Diane Alexander as Resistance leader Yvette certainly ‘said this only once’ to great effect – coming up with more and more ludicrous plans – all delivered with a straight face too!
Haydn Davis got the tortured vowels of Officer Crabtree off to a T, so that the contrast when his character had to address the British airman in a very upper-class accent was excellent.
The two downed airmen, John Montgomery and Paul Davidoff, appeared in a variety of disguises and both of you schooled your faces well when you made it clear you did not understand what the ‘Frenchies’ in the cast were saying! Your first disguise, two ladies in the café, was revealed when you turned to face the audience for the first time – we laughed, you kept straight faced! Well played.
The four members of the ensemble, Diane Jones, Annie Hagger, Steve Mercer and Wendy Graham, first seen as front of house staff, worked hard and I was pleased to see that you all got fully credited for your behind-the-scenes roles on set building, props and prompt.
The actors who took on the German roles were all excellent:
Maik Barrett made a good job of the very menacing Herr Flick, very ably supported by the flirtations Private Helga, a delightful performance from Jo Emery.
Jason Congerton gave us the effeminate Lieutenant Gruber the audience expected. Flirting outrageously with Rene and trying to persuade him into his ‘little tank’. You used your facial expressions very well too.
The role of the greedy General Von Klinkerhoffwn was taken by Roger Saper.
Rick Warren’s bullying Colonel Von Strohm
Chris Smith’s played Captain Geering as a very half-hearted Nazi officer.
In my personal opinion, this particular storyline is not the best one from the TV sitcom stable so it was what you all made of it and your talents, on and off stage, that brought the whole story to life and entertained the audience so well – we certainly laughed a lot!
Now, my very best wishes for your pantomime rehearsals and December performances! I am, as always, looking forward to it!
Judith
Judith Watsham
Regional Representative NODA London District 11 and 11A
Email: j[email protected]