A Vicar of Dibley Christmas

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – The Second Coming is the second of the three stage versions of the much-loved TV comedy series The Vicar of Dibley – the most successful I’ve always felt of the TV comedy adaptations. It follows immediately on from the first, which ends with Hugo and Alice’s wedding, which was presented by this group last year. Being very apt for the time of year, this play covers the launch of Radio Dibley, Hugo and Alice’s good news, Frank’s coming out and the eventful Nativity play.

The set was very simple – the main stage was surrounded by black curtains, and an extension front stage left was used as the vicarage for Alice and Geraldine’s cozy chats. The scenes were created with well-chosen furniture – looking very much like the sort you’d find in a church hall – and some excellent props. The Radio Dibley kit looked particularly realistic. Stage Manager Julie Davies efficiently managed the scene changes with the help of the cast. Costumes were spot-on for everyone. Lighting was effective throughout, creating a good atmosphere, and the sound effects were well managed too (both Scott Dowell).

My goodness, what a strong and talented cast Director Anne Robertson has chosen! Each actor has obviously studied their TV counterpart closely and vividly portrayed the well-loved characters’ facial expressions, movements and tics as well as their voices. We immediately felt comfortable and able to enjoy all the humour they brought out of the script to the max.

Peta Reading was superb as vicar Geraldine Granger, relentlessly cheerful and amazingly tolerant of Alice, giving the vicar great life and credibility. As Alice Horton, I could have sworn that Becka Wigmore was actually Emma Chambers, she gave us such a delightfully daffy and innocent portrayal, especially with her last line asking if she’d actually given birth to the son of God! Alan Finden gave David Horton just the right stern and serious demeanour and I loved his reaction to the news that he was to become a grandfather. Contrasting nicely was Pete Westmoreland as his nice-but-dim son Hugo. “Perfect” is all I need to say! Steve Reading was beautifully prissy and pedantic as minute-taker Frank Pickle. Even his walk off stage in blackout was in character. Alan Jenkins was nicely gruff and lascivious as Jim “No, no, no, yes” Trott, and Tony Bryant brought out the awfulness of farmer Owen Newitt really well. Added into the mix was Mrs Cropley – allowing Gilly Williams a great chance to shine.

The TV origins of the play show themselves in the succession of short scenes – easily achieved on film by cutting to a new location, but harder on stage as they interrupt the flow significantly. Anne Robertson cleverly used a six-person choir to cover the scene changes with some well-sung (and amusingly altered) carols from the side of the hall, although I felt they did slow the pace of the play at times.

What a great evening’s entertainment you gave us – the capacity audience was in stitches all the way through, and you thoroughly deserved the very enthusiastic applause you received at the end. Thank you so much and a huge well done to everyone involved.

P.S. There is a third adaptation you could try – “The Holy Trinity”. Just a suggestion!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.