Don’t mention the war!

| Thursday, 24 March 2005 Source: Whitehaven News

POSTERS for a stage version of the comedy show 'Allo 'Allo in Whitehaven have been withdrawn after complaints about the inclusion of a swastika.

The appearance of the Nazi symbol on posters had upset some people, causing Whitehaven Amateur Operatic Society to dump the posters and print a replacement.

Now new posters are being hurriedly distributed around town in time for the April 5 first night.

Society chairman Elizabeth Simpson was surprised by the reaction. "Rosehill Theatre rang me to say they had received a couple of complaints about the posters because of the swastika. I couldn't believe it.''

She thought people were perhaps being a bit over-sensitive and was concerned about any backlash on the success of the forthcoming show, which is being staged at Rosehill from Tuesday, April 5 for five days.

"A lot of work and preparation goes into these productions so I didn't want anything to harm attendances or indeed the image of the society, which has just celebrated 100 years,'' said Mrs Simpson. "And we have just had a highly successful run of The Hired Man so I didn't want anything to overshadow that.

"I know some people can be sensitive about these things; no offence was intended.

"Nazis featured heavily in Cabaret and in The Sound of Music, so it is nothing new to the stage,'' she said.

'Allo 'Allo is based on the popular television comedy series, which starred Gorden Kaye. The stage version follows the adventures of hapless cafe owner René and his wife Edith in war-torn France.

Theatre director at Rosehill Kate Whitmarsh said the theatre had received a call from a local business person who had been asked to display a poster but had found it "distasteful and offensive''.

"We explained this was the first we knew about it and assured the complainant we would pass on the comments to the Operatic Society. Having seen the posters ourselves we felt they were inappropriate and could cause offence. The problem we felt was that the large, dominant swastika was the only image on the poster and as such it could be taken for a British National Party advert rather than a show poster. We offered to redesign it for the society.''

Meanwhile rehearsals are in full swing for the show which stars Brian Goulding as René. Pauline Robertson is Edith, Ann Casson plays Yvette and Sarah Lewis, Michelle. Barry Weston plays the Colonel and Aron Armstrong Herr Flick. Ripley Steele and James Coyles play the British airmen.

The show is directed by Marian Fox with Chris Simpson as stage manager.