Photo credits: Neil Davis

Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society’s (PODS) latest production of ‘Allo ‘Allo 2: The Camembert Caper brought the much-loved sitcom to life on the stage, delivering an evening of nostalgic laughs, sharp comedic timing, and brilliantly executed farce. Held at The Paget Rooms, this production captured the essence of the original show while keeping the audience thoroughly entertained.

Set in wartime France, Café René is once again at the centre of chaos, with stolen money hidden in a Camembert cheese, Resistance plots to finally, hopefully return the British airmen to Blighty, and the ever-present threat of discovery from the Germans. Phill Loveless as René Artois gave a fantastic performance, embodying the character’s exasperated charm with pitch-perfect delivery. His asides to the audience and frantic attempts to keep the café (and himself) out of trouble were met with laughter throughout.

Josh Ogle’s portrayal of Herr Flick was equally impressive, capturing the character’s cold, exaggerated villainy with precision. His stiff movements and deadpan delivery were a highlight, adding to the show’s comedy.

Matt Morgan as Captain Geering was a standout, nailing the mannerisms and voice of the original character. His moments with Colonel Von Strohm (Andrew Moreton) were played to perfection, bringing plenty of laughs.

Bob Tucker as Officer Crabtree had the audience in stitches with his hilariously mangled French, expertly delivering the show’s signature mispronunciations. His iconic “Good moaning” and bewildered exchanges with the other characters were comedic gold.

Amanda Matthews as Yvette Carte-Blanche was suitably flirtatious and lively, while Nikki Wilson’s Michelle Dubois commanded the stage with her determined Resistance efforts, complete with her signature “I shall say zis only vonce” line, met with delighted anticipation from the audience.

One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the musical performances — Lauren Farnham as Mimi Labonq delivered an excellent singing performance during the interval, while Emma Dennett’s Madame Edith was wonderfully awful, as expected. Her painfully off-key singing had the audience roaring with laughter, especially as René and the others reacted in horror.

A particularly hilarious scene involved the ever-bumbling Monsieur LeClerc (Jim Lediard) attempting to stash money inside a Camembert cheese, whilst hiding doing so from the German officers — a classic ‘Allo ‘Allo style mix-up that led to brilliant slapstick and frantic cover-ups. Another comedic highlight was the can-can scene, which brought a burst of energy to the stage. With high-kicking chaos and perfectly-timed physical comedy, it was a true spectacle that had the audience in stitches.

PODS ensured that all the classic catchphrases were present, much to the delight of the audience. From René’s exasperated sighs of “You stupid woman!” to Gruber’s — played by Gray Hill — lingering admiration of the café owner, the show felt like a true love letter to the original.

And, finally, who can forget the two British airmen, played by Peter Knowles and Andy Bradshaw, whose hopeless attempts to get home to Blighty — paired with their exaggerated accents and bemused expressions — added yet another layer of hilarity to the show? Will they ever make it home to Britain?

PODS delivered a pitch-perfect adaptation of ‘Allo ‘Allo 2: The Camembert Caper, packed with fantastic performances, well-executed farce, and all the beloved quirks of the classic show. With standout portrayals, hilarious set-pieces, and a deep appreciation for the source material, this production proved that ‘Allo ‘Allo’s comedy remains timeless.

‘Allo ‘Allo 2: The Camembert Caper by Penarth Operatic & Dramatic Society is on at Penarth’s Paget Rooms 19 – 22 March 2025. Limited tickets from £14 available online here.