The Vicar of Dibley at Christmas

The Vicar of Dibley is, in my view, the most successful of the adaptations of TV comedy series for the stage. Featuring the well-loved characters created by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, the script for this “..at Christmas” show was adapted by Kate Bennett, well-known locally for directing shows for BROS. The story encompasses the announcement of Hugo and Alice’s impending happy event, the amazing “I can’t believe it’s not butter” scene, a look back at the "three Christmas lunches in one day" episode and the eventful Christmas Nativity play.

We were greeted by yet another excellent set designed and created by Caroline Moloney. She always manages to include immense quality and detail in terms of props and decoration, creating great realism. It was worth pausing on the way out to read some of the notices pinned to the board – very amusing! The set featured the village hall, with a small area down-stage-left for the vestry, scene of the vicar’s renowned chats with Alice. This allowed rapid scene transitions – so important with TV adaptations like this which have lots of short scenes. Lighting and sound effects (Scott Dowell) were spot-on too, and all the actors spoke clearly and loudly enough not to need amplification. Costumes looked absolutely right for the characters.

Dawn French must be a hard act to follow, but Kate Thomas’s Geraldine Grainger really had her ebullient, eternally optimistic character off to a tee, coaxing the recalcitrant members of the Parish Council into action and bravely resisting their flirting. Peter Colley as David Horton, Chairman of the Council, was suitably imperious and long-suffering and you could tell he was actually starting to like the female vicar. He produced the most marvellous expression at the news that Hugo and Alice were going to have a baby! Matt Gibbins gave a nicely vague and naïve performance as Hugo Horton, still the child doing his father’s bidding, while Becky Heath was delightfully daffy as his wife Alice. Enough to be endearing without having to reach for a straight-jacket! Her delivery of the terrifying “I can’t believe it’s not butter” lines was faultless! Trevor Bratty gave a wonderful performance as Jim “No, no, no, yes” Trott and his appearance dressed as Billy-Jean King had the audience in stitches! David Bennett was spot on as pedantic minute-taker Frank Pickle, while Shane Parkes nearly outshone Roger Lloyd Pack as the outrageous Owen Newitt. His activities in the cowshed would make even the most hardened vet cringe. Caroline Moloney completed the cast as Alice’s mum – a marvellous comic performance, making the most of her short time on stage.

All the actors wore their characters well, using many of the mannerisms and speech patterns of their TV counterparts – enough to make us comfortable, without being slavish imitations. Director Miles Eden had obviously encouraged them to give of their best and there were laughs aplenty throughout the show.

It was a marvellous evening’s entertainment, reminding us what rich and timeless characters and situations Curtis and Mayhew-Archer created, the quality of which we don’t seem to get on television anymore. The enthusiastic applause at the end and the many complimentary remarks I heard as the audience left the theatre, are testament to the talent of the writers and everyone involved in this wonderful production.

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