Allo Allo, Ringwood Musical and Dramatic Society, Ringwood School

THE problem with performing a stage version of a popular TV series is that most people will have pre-conceived ideas of how the characters should appear.

Well sorry, Gorden Kaye et al, but as far as I'm concerned you've been eclipsed, because in this production, brilliantly directed by Sheryle Daniels, that little cafe and its staff and customers were, quite simply, très magnifique.

The totally realistic set was a complete delight, French down to the last glass of vin de table, and such wonderfully clever use was made of the downstage side areas to create the various additional scenes.

And it is quite clear that Richard Bennett and Poppy Garvey were born to play Rene and Edith, so well did they inhabit their characters.

There were so many gems too among their fellow performers that it would be unfair to single out any individuals, yet impossible to mention everyone.

Suffice to say that I adored every single one.

Then, when the actors had taken their bows and we thought it was time to leave, along came the piece de resistance - a filmed curtain call.

They'll have a job on their hands to beat that one, je pense.