David - a showbiz legend

11:42am Wednesday 19th November 2008

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IF you’re looking for a phrase to sum up David Croft, try “showbiz legend” for size.

As a writer he’s been jointly responsible for some of the most popular and most loved sitcoms of all time, from Dad’s Army, about a hapless Home Guard platoon “led” by the pompous Captain Mainwaring to ‘Allo ‘Allo, a saucy, riotous romp set in Nazi occupied France.

This Christmas the Lowry is throwing a theatrical lifeline to people left cold by pantomime - by bringing ‘Allo ‘Allo the stage.

It ran for 10 years on the BBC and made household names of it’s stars, from Gorden Kaye, who played the randy cafe owner Rene to Carmen Silvera, who will be forever known to millions as the “stupid woman” in his life, Edith. Why does David think the show was so successful?

“I think it was a hit because it’s a hilariously funny, mad, crazy comedy. People will still laugh at it today,” he says.

The writer insists that the play is faithful to the spirit of the original small screen version, which, despite its huge popularity, never received anything more than a string of BAFTA nominations. During the making of the programme, David stayed on the other side of the camera. However, had he been given the opportunity to play one of his comic creations, he says he would have loved to have got into the jackboots of Gestapo officer, Herr Flick.

“He’s a marvellously funny character and I always enjoy watching him. It is novel to have a young, good looking Gestapo officer. They’re usually all old with scars on their faces,” he says.

Does he have a favourite TV episode of ‘Allo ‘Allo?

“The episode where they try to kill the general by poisoning him. It was a longer episode than usual, 40 minutes instead of 30. We had too much good stuff to fit in so we asked the BBC and they let us extend it. It was unusual but they would let us occasionally. They could be more flexible in those days,” he recalls.

The TV series came to our screens when comedy tastes were changing in this country and the phrase “alternative comedy” was slowly being integrated into our vocabulary. The art form suddenly became edgier and more irreverent and you could get away with saying one or two naughty words on the Beeb. ‘Allo ‘Allo may have had a healthy sprinkling of sexual innuendo but it was an inoffensive programme even granny could watch. As for today’s sitcoms, this icon of light entertainment gives the impression that he isn’t exactly over impressed.

“i laughed a lot at Father Ted. I don’t really enjoy present day sitcoms though. Some are disgusting, like Little Britain, and they’re just not funny,” he says.

David was born David John Sharland in Dorset on September 7, 1922. Showbusiness was in the blood, as both his parents were actors. He’s been involved in two remarkably successful writing partnerships, with Dad’s Army co-creator Jimmy Perry and Jeremy Lloyd, with whom he created classic sitcoms like Are You Being Served? and, of course, ‘Allo ‘Allo. In 1978 he and Perry collected the OBE for services to television. What’s the secret of a successful writing partnership?

“You definitely have to like each other, otherwise it would be impossible. The secret is to agree about comedy and the techniques of comedy. To work well together you should be friends,” he says.

Of all the comedy actors he’s had the pleasure of working with, Arthur Lowe, for his amazing versatility, John Inman and Gorden Kaye are among his all time top three. How would he, as a writer, like to be remembered?

“I made people laugh,” he says.

And you can’t say fairer than that. Rick Bowen * Listen up I will say this only once - The Lowry presents ‘Allo ‘Allo by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft from December 16 to January 10 at 7.30pm, including matinees. The box office is on 0870 111 2000. For the full interview, see Leisure at www.messengernewspapers.co.uk