Surprise for cast as TV star drops into rehearsal.
The Lichfield Players had a treat in store when ‘Allo ‘Allo star Arthur Bostrom dropped in unexpectedly to rehearsals to wish the cast all the best with their forthcoming stage version based on the hit TV series. ‘Allo ‘Allo runs at the Lichfield Garrick from 21st to 24th January.
“It was lovely for Arthur to give up his time to surprise the cast – they had no idea he was coming,” said Lichfield Players producer Kathy Bryers. “He appeared just as our Thursday night rehearsal was beginning and announced his arrival with his ‘Allo ‘Allo character’s trademark Gid moaning, I was just pissing by…’ The cast erupted into cheers and there was such a buzz.
“It was especially exciting for Dan Anketell, who plays Arthur’s part in our production and who has captured his accent perfectly – he’s modelled his performance on Arthur’s character having seen him on TV, so to meet him in person was just brilliant.”
Aerthur, who starred as Officer Crabtree in the long-running TV sitcom, came across to the Lichfield Players’ rehearsal at the city’s George IV pub, after his own rehearsals at the Lichfield Garrick had finished. He is playing the part of Count Dandini de Tartare in Cinderella, which opens at the theatre this week.
“It’s great you are all having so much fun with it,” he said. He told the Lichfield Players cast he had spotted the posters for their stage production in the theatre’s Green Room, and believes ‘Allo ‘Allo’s continued success – which now spans four decades – is due to the fact it is set in a World War II time bubble, with great characterisation and cleverly written farce.
“Arthur was in the first ever stage production of ‘Allo ‘Allo at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham in 1986,” said Kathy Bryers. “It’s lovely that, almost thirty years on, the stage play is returning to the Midlands, and we hope it will be just as much of a success.”
The Lichfield Players’ production of ‘Allo ‘Allo opens at the Lichfield Garrick on Wednesday 21st January for a four-night run. Tickets are priced at £14 (concessions £13 and £10). To book, call the Lichfield Garrick Box Office on 01543 412121 or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com.