WHAT: Encore Theatre Company presents 'Allo 'Allo.

WHEN: November 4-5, 9-12, 16-19 at 8pm, November 5, 18 & 19 at 2pm and November 13 at 5pm.

WHERE: Earl Arts Centre, Launceston.

TICKETS: Adults $38, concession $30, children $25. Bookings at the Princess Theatre Box Office, 63233666 or online at www.theatrenorth.com.au

FOR 10 years Gorden Kaye graced televisions around the world as the lying, hapless and womanising cafe proprietor Rene in David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd's hit British series `Allo `Allo.

And as Encore Theatre Company prepares to bring the stage version to Launceston next month, actor Ross Marsden hopes his portrayal is as credible to Kaye's as it can be.

"As an actor I want to be as much as what the audience would expect from the television series" Marsden said yesterday.

"I believe a lot of the audience who see the show will want to see their favourite characters be brought to life, so I'm trying to be as authentic as I can.

"With such an iconic character like that you can't afford to put your own interpretation into it."

The stage production of 'Allo 'Allo takes the best and funniest segments from the nine-season show into a two-act performance.

It follows the adventures of Rene, played by Marsden, in war-torn France as he tries to hide his affairs from his wife and hide two British airmen and the painting of The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies in his cafe.

Directed by Jamie Hillard, the production was chosen based on the sold-out success of the company's season of Are You Being Served? last year, which was written by the same playwrights.

Hillard said the play was aimed at all ages and consisted of all the wit and suggestive humour as the series.

"It's extremely funny and I expect the audience to be in stitches," he said.

Marsden said the production had been by far his most challenging in terms of character emulation.

"The ultimate compliment for me would be for people to think that I was Gorden Kaye on stage," he said.