The Vicar of Dibley (The Second Coming)

The Vicar of Dibley by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter is adapted from the Television series by Richard Curtis and Patrick Mayhew-Archer and can be said to be a British institution so it is very  brave of any society to take on this play not only once but in this case for a second time. This second helping of the antics of the Vicar and her parishioners is again a mixture of a number of episodes from the television series and carries on from the first play after Alice and Hugo’s wedding. The set was very effective with economic use of the stage which was split into four areas for the vicarage, church hall, vestry and church, the action moved back and forth between these small sets and there was also excellent attention to detail regarding the props and furniture, well done to the stage crew, props sound and lighting

It is important with such well-known and loved eccentric personalities that the characterisations match what the audience expects. The key part of the Vicar, Geraldine Granger, was very confidently played by Victoria Lee who mastered the mannerisms of Dawn French’s portrayal, and maintained the character, owning the stage throughout. Linda Davenport as Alice Horton achieved the dippy spirit of Alice’s character and worked well with Craig Eccleston who gave us a suitably dopy Hugo Horton.  I particularly enjoyed the scenes in the vestry where Geraldine tells Alice jokes which she never understands, and also the audition scene for the three Kings in the nativity play where Owen Newitt played by Chris Mann comes dressed as Elvis followed by Jim Trott played by Reg Tolladay dressed as Billy Jean King. The cast list was completed by secure comedic Characterisations from Howard Ball as Frank Pickle, David Burt as David Horton and a suitably dotty Mrs Cropley played by Kate Burrow. However one of the highlights of the evening was the church choir and their choirmaster Simon Matthews, the arrangement and singing of such well-known numbers as “Radio Ga Ga” by Queen was excellent and very enjoyable.  Generally diction and projection was good in the first act which meant the action could be followed easily, however in the second act it was a little hard to hear some of the supporting characters on occasions, and also throughout the production moving from one scene to another was a little slow at times, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the play.

Congratulations to Director and Musical Director Beckie Morley for a funny entertaining production enjoyed and well received by the audience and thank you for making my colleague and me welcome and well done to all involved in bringing this enjoyable play to the stage.
 

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