I Will Say This Only Once – Cheesy Chaotic Comedy at The Dolman Theatre

Regular readers of the Newport City Radio blog will know that the girls of the team love nothing more than a night at the theatre. With the Dolman Theatre sitting right next door to us, it has become the perfect meeting place for a little team catch-up, plenty of laughs, and a good dose of live entertainment.

Based in the heart of Newport, Dolman Theatre is home to Newport Playgoers Society (NPS), the city’s main amateur dramatic society. Established in 1924, NPS has been bringing theatre to Newport audiences for over a century and has been managing the Dolman Theatre since 1967, creating a much-loved hub for performers and theatre lovers alike.

This time, we headed along to enjoy ’Allo ’Allo 2: The Camembert Caper, a wonderfully chaotic comedy adventure packed with the familiar humour fans of the classic series will recognise.

The story sees the villagers, helped by members of the Resistance, attempting to outsmart their German occupiers as they try to recover 50,000 francs hidden inside a Camembert cheese and arrange the safe return of two British airmen. Naturally, nothing goes according to plan, and the characters rely on every cunning trick, disguise, and bit of theatrical chaos they can create.

The production features all the ingredients you’d hope for: outrageous schemes, comic misunderstandings, Madame Edith’s unforgettable singing, and a hilarious can-can performance involving the airmen, Resistance members, and café staff.

What made the evening extra special was seeing a familiar face on stage, former Newport City Radio crew member Emma McCarthy, who took on the role of Madame Edith. It was wonderful to see her performing in such a fun and colourful production.

Angela, Amber, Pamela, Eve and I thoroughly enjoyed the show, which brought plenty of laughter and entertainment before finishing its run with a final matinee performance on Saturday 13th June.

With lively performances, fantastic comic timing, and the unmistakable charm of community theatre, ’Allo ’Allo 2: The Camembert Caper was a great reminder of why the Dolman Theatre remains such a special part of Newport’s cultural scene.

A fantastic night out, right on our doorstep.

Kym Frederick