The Vicar of Dibley

When an audience goes to see the stage play of a well-known and well-loved TV comedy series, what they go to see is the actors characterising the original actors. How close they get to imitating the original stars usually defines how they rate the show. Gamlingay’s version of Vicar of Dibley, directed by Chris Martin, certainly set out to do exactly that, and what a very good fist of it they made too.

This script was the stage version of the original story where the previous vicar had just died and despite strong opposition from the Parish Council headed up by David Horton, are unexpectantly ‘lumbered’ with a female vicar, Geraldine Granger!

The main set, under the management of Clive Pattle, which in Gamlingay’s Eco-Hub has to be built from scratch, was the living room of the vicarage. It was extremely neatly done too. The rear wall of flats was perfectly covered in stretched black fabric with two long panels with vertical striped wallpaper. To either side was a picture of Jesus in the centre. The room was then furnished with a very authentic looking sixties style sofa, with a matching long coffee table, a fireplace, a desk with a well sourced sixties period typewriter, table lamp and a correct period corded phone and a photo of Sean Bean. The clever bit was the conversion into the church, by replacing the picture of Jesus with a large cross and removing all the domestic furniture for the wedding of Hugo and Alice. To stage right on the forestage was a sunken area which served as the vestry in which Alice and the Vicar have their famous little chats and the choir performed. The centre of the forestage in front of the tabs had a long fold down table which the crew simply erected and with the edition of some foldup period chairs served as the Church Hall. And the whole set was very well lit by Andrew Peters.

The scene changes from the vicarage to the church hall were however quite long with some extended blackouts as a result, as the table was folded out or down and the chairs taken on and off. Hard to know how it could have been any quicker as the hard working stage crew certainly weren’t dawdling.

Sound by David Masterson was crystal, no mean feat in the echo chamber that is the main hall of the Eco-hub, and all the sound cues were absolutely spot on. Nice job!

Costumes (sourced by the cast) were also very authentic and as for Alice’s wedding dress adorned with the Roses and the I Love Hugo Heart, absolutely splendid work whoever did that! Nice makeup by Sue Lucas and Bryony Mountfort, with a particularly good beard for Owen!

We opened with an excellent choir in full choir cassocks, who called themselves ‘Singthusiasm Sandy,’ consisting of Musical Director Jane Orchiston (the real conductor), Steff Laugharne on the organ with singers Peter Watson-Bird, Nicola Watson-Bird, Magdelena Majewska-Celi, Jim Burke, Tara Platt and Marion Thursby-Dawes.  And amusingly, Jon Mountfort wearing a strange suit, trainers and various lit up flashing items such as his bow tie, head gear, and waistcoat whilst ‘attempting’ to be the conductor. All added to the comedy. And a nice touch having one of the choir turn up late at the beginning of the show. Loved it!

The pace was excellent and the story zipped along splendidly headed up by a very plausible Rebecca Keeves playing an excellent characterisation of Dawn French’s original Geraldine Granger. I’ve not seen her before, but she is a long standing member who now lives in the Midlands and thus, as it says in the programme, put in some dedication to attend rehearsals from that distance!  I hope the travelling hasn’t put her off doing future productions for the Players. Definitely an asset to their ranks they would miss!

This cast had certainly studied their characters very well indeed, so each brought them to life on the stage with considerable confidence. Ian Parker as David Horton, had the same superior poise and delivery of Gary Waldhorn’s original. Craig Smoothy as Hugo nailed the facial expressions and awkward stance originally depicted by James Fleet. Graham Virgo as Owen Newitt, with a very false beard superbly portrayed his socially inept, larger than life character with some aplomb. Colin Caroll had great delivery of the pedantic Frank Pickle, a character I’m particularly fond of having once played him myself. Nice Job!  And Fred Hammett lounging back in his end seat at the meeting only had to start stuttering for the audience to burst out laughing. And Bryony Mountfort’s gormless expressions as she let each penny drop were timed to perfection. Whilst Melanie Drummer just looked the very part of the ever-knitting Letitia. And well done to Amy Lovat for appearing in the wrong church!

And well done also to the youngsters, Amy Majewska (Archie), Maddison Tanner (Katie), Tobi Majewski (Cameron), Mila Goldscheider (Lizzie), Theo Peters (Luke).

So, a thoroughly entertaining production not unexpectantly played to sold-out full houses for all performances, Director Chris Martin, Producer Hayley Parker, who did a lot of the hard work to put this show on, and the cast and crew can be rather proud of this one. Definitely one of the best I’ve seen from the Players.

Finally, many thanks for your excellent hospitality.

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