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The Grand Theatre Blackpool

SAY 'ALLO 'ALLO TO CAFÉ RENÉ AT BLACKPOOL'S GRAND!

Show Details

03-09-2008 | Author: Press Office

Matcham’s Bar at Blackpool's Grand Theatre is transformed into René's famous little French café to celebrate the arrival of the classic continental comedy 'Allo 'Allo from Monday 8th September

Meet René, the most wanted man in occupied France: women want his body, the Resistance want his brain and the Nazis want his sausage!

Raise your glasses at Café René!
Matcham’s Bar steps back in time to occupied France in World War Two; complete with cheeky waitresses, checked tablecloths and even a visit from the French Resistance!, to welcome one of the greatest British TV comedies ever written to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre.

‘Allo ‘Allo is back with a bang in its 25th anniversary tour from Monday 8th September to Saturday 13th September with a star-studded cast including Vicki Michelle (Yvette in the original smash-hit TV series) and Jeffrey Holland (Hi-De-Hi).

Meet René, the most wanted man in occupied France: women want his body, the Resistance want his brain and the Nazis want his sausage!

This stunning new stage production celebrates the 25th anniversary of the continental caper and follows the hilarious adventures of hapless café owner René in war-torn occupied France as he and his wife Edith struggle to keep for themselves a priceless portrait of The Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies stolen by the Nazis and hidden in a sausage in their cellar.

Adding to René’s litany of woes, the French Resistance force him to aid their persistent attempts to return two bumbling British airmen to England.

René must also keep the German soldiers happy who frequent café and keep his long-running affairs with his two waitresses, Yvette and Mimi, from his wife Edith, or losing his cherished café may be the least of his problems...

Book early as this glorious new show is guaranteed to leave you helpless with laughter.

‘Allo ‘Allo is at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from Monday 8th September to Saturday 13th September. Monday at 8pm. Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 1.30pm. Tickets from £12.

Schools and full time students £11.

Great group and Friends of the Grand discounts also available.

Call 01253 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk


Keep right up to date with all the latest special ticket offers, discounts and new shows at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre with our innovative new TEXT service:

• For what’s on this week at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre simply text GRAND to 82055. Standard text rates apply.

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

Ends…

Notes for Editors:

Jeffrey Holland - René
Jeffrey is probably best known for his portrayal of Spike in BBC TV’s Hi-De-Hi and the stuffy footman, James Twelvetrees, in the hugely successful You Rang M’Lord? He also appeared regularly in Russ Abbot’s Madhouse where he won great critical acclaim for his impression of HRH the Prince of Wales among many others! 

Born in Walsall, West Midlands, Jeffrey trained in Birmingham and began his career with four and a half years in repertory at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. His theatre work is extensive and includes seasons at the Chichester Festival and the Edinburgh Festival as well as the much loved stage production of television’s Dad’s Army, the stage production of Hi-De-Hi, Run for Your Wife and Travels with my Aunt.
As one of Britain’s leading Dames, Jeffrey’s pantomime work includes thirty-five seasons at most major theatres all over the UK

Jeffrey’s first television role was in an episode of Dixon of Dock Green and since then his television work has included both comedy and drama, with such shows as It Ain’t Half Hot Mum; Are You Being Served?; Dad’s Army and The Mayor of Casterbridge. He has also appeared in three of BBC2’s Shakespeare productions: Richard II, As You Like It and Henry V.


Vicki Michelle - Yvette
Vicki is best known for her portrayal of sexy waitress Yvette in the hit BBC series ‘Allo ‘Allo, which gained her worldwide recognition. She played Yvette for all nine TV series with the stage version playing two seasons in the West End followed by national and international tours to Australia and New Zealand. 

Vicki began her extensive acting career playing leading straight roles on television in such series as Softly Softly, Minder, The Professionals and Play For The Day. She has also worked with comedy greats Les Dawson, The Two Ronnies, Ken Dodd, Kenny Everett, Dick Emery, Bobby Davro and Lenny Henry to name a few and has appeared in many comedy series including Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads, The Goodies, Are You Being Served? and Noel’s House Party.
Film credits include The Greek Tycoon, Sweet William, The Sentinel, The Last Days Of Pompeii, The Likely Lads, George And Mildred and The Colour Of Funny. 

Extensive theatre work includes playing opposite Dudley Moore in Play It Again Sam both on national tour and in London’s West End and the leading roles of Vera in Doctor In The House; Ruth in the two Alan Ayckbourn plays Round And Round The Garden and Table Manners and Maxine in Stepping Out - adding tap dancing to her repertoire.
Recent television appearances include the Channel 4 film drama All In The Game playing Emma, wife of Ray Winstone; Patricia Foster in the popular ITV soap Emmerdale and as a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef.

The French Resistance
This is the collective name used for French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and the collaborationist Vichy Regime during WWII. It was made up of small groups of armed men and women, known as the maquis in rural areas, publishers of underground newspapers and escape networks, and its members came from all levels of French society ranging from conservative Roman Catholics (including priests) to liberals, anarchists and communists. 

The French Resistance played a valuable role in facilitating the Allies’ rapid advance through France following the invasions of Normandy and Provence in 1944, by providing military intelligence on enemy deployments and by sabotaging power, transport and telecommunications networks. It was also politically and morally important for France both during the occupation and for decades after as it provided the country with an inspiring example that stood in marked contrast to the collaboration of the Vichy Regime.


For further Grand Theatre press information, images or review tickets please call:
Sarah Jane Wright
Press Officer
Grand Theatre, Blackpool
01253 743252
Email: sarahjane@blackpoolgrand.co.uk