The Vicar of Dibley - The Second Coming

Three years have rolled by and the Dibley characters returned to Fairlight to celebrate the coming of Christmas. With the original cast in place we entered the wonderful world of Geraldine having settled in her role as Vicar, return of Hugo and Alice from honeymoon, her discovery of pregnancy much to the disapproval of father-in-law David, colourful Parish Council committee members gather to give the village a festive production to remember! We laughed through meetings with bizarre suggestions, descriptions of the Great Storm, quiet aside jokes dear Alice never got, the Radio Dibley broadcasts when minute taking boring Frank makes a revealing announcement, auditions, Brain of Dibley quiz when Alice quashed David culminating in a real live Nativity. 

Pre-set below stage curtains was a low coffee table with mugs and at the side a perfect ‘snug’ for Geraldine and Alice’s prologue. On TV how easy to switch from the Vicarage to the Committee Room but not so easy on stage.  However, with the split stage – one half Vicarage, side front door with letterbox, fully furnished sitting room to the fore, angled brick fireplace kitchen towards the rear, exit opposite the committee room with trestle table and chairs, notice board behind. Using blackouts between scenes, the addition of ecclesiastical piped music and slick costume changes, this worked very smoothly. Terrific set constructed by Trevor Lewing and team, excellent props and set dressing from Jenny Turner and of course SM Vince Bruce/Ken Hatch: all was believable. The gauze Nativity backdrop worked well. In the tiny space at the rear of the hall Andrew Mier created the sound with Del Smith in charge of lighting and despite an electrical gremlin, was beautifully timed and co-ordinated. 

Costumes just perfect - the vicar’s vestment, her opening sleeping bag, cardigans, jumpers etc. pregnant verger Alice and her Mary, rural welly-booted complete with flat cap Owen, conservative Hugo and David, Frank, his bow ties then the pinks and what can I say about knitter Letitia and what an array of headgear and scarves. The audition garb for the ‘Kings’ the great Elvis and Billie Jean. Then the tea towel/towel nativity shepherds, Herod and Joseph. Terrific work from Wardrobe Mistress Sandi Mouzer.

Libby Annetts shone - just looked and sounded like vicar Geraldine Granger with wonderful frustration in handling her cross to bear Alice and her committee members. The splendid look of innocence from Charlotte Eastes as Alice nee Tinker was splendid and her scene with husband intellectual Hugo Horton played by Tom Miller and the immaculate conception during Geraldine’s method acting session hilarious. Steve Hill carried off the despairing Chair and father-in-law David and his Herod beautifully, whilst Roland Garrad perfected his minutes and boring Frank came to life after the revealing broadcast. Peter Spencer gave a splendid rendition of fantasist Jim and his oh so familiar ‘yes no’ interludes were hilarious. Knitting quietly at the end of the table was natural comedienne Anne Edwards as Mrs Cropley notorious for her ghastly recipes and her appearance through the hall pushing her lit trolley full of props for the Nativity, a great touch. Earthy Owen –  great portrayal of this wonderfully crude character executed by Bez Cuss. A mention of course of three charming glittery angels, Chloe Miller and Jessamy Read returning and joined this time by Zoe Carey. What a finale to learn that during the first play Owen – Bez Cuss proposed to Geraldine – Libby Annetts, who naturally declined.  In real life they married the following year and I understand a little one is on its way!! Congratulations. With such a script, Director Keith Miller must have had an amazing time with the already well-established cast who lived these glorious parts, may have given up his conducting but did manage to be a helpful life saver and delivered the baby Jesus!

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