Vicar of Dibley

As I entered the auditorium, anticipating a delightful afternoon in Dibley, I was warmly welcomed by a small gospel choir. Their enchanting pre-show performance set a charming tone, with the audience clapping along and easing into a relaxed, joyful mood.

When the lights dimmed, the choir serenaded us with the beloved theme tune of The Vicar of Dibley. The atmosphere was electric with nostalgia and excitement.

The show began with a humorous touch as two characters attempted to hang a banner reading “Welcome to Dibley,” only for it to comically fall down immediately. This playful mishap instantly invited the audience to laugh and enjoy the light-hearted spirit of the performance.

As the curtains parted, the audience was greeted by a charming set. The raised level at the back showcased the vicarage, while the front was dedicated to the village hall meeting room and a versatile space for the unfolding action. The vicarage, reminiscent of the beloved TV show, was a delightful touch that instantly resonated with the audience.

The Vicar of Dibley (VOD) is a series of plays with various versions, allowing for a mix-and-match approach to different parts of the story. Today’s performance featured the heartwarming episode where Alice is pregnant and gives birth at Christmas.

When attending a VOD play, one expects to see a faithful recreation of the TV show, with actors closely impersonating the beloved characters. For the most part, Hilarity Group succeeded in this endeavour. Standout performances included Jane Martin-Smith as Alice, Rob Marsden as Jim, James Nichol as David, and Paul Thorpe as Frank. These actors clearly invested significant time in studying the show, capturing the nuances of both accents and mannerisms.

While the other characters delivered strong comedic performances, some did not quite match the TV show’s likeness, which was a bit disappointing given my expectations. However, special mention must go to Thea Fennell. Although her portrayal of Geraldine didn’t fully channel Dawn French, she still made me laugh in all the right places and held the show together with her near-constant presence on stage

At times, the pace of the show felt a bit slow, primarily due to the transitions between scenes in the vicarage and those at the front of the stage. A set of stairs connecting the two areas might have expedited these changes, rather than having the actors exit and re-enter from the back each time. Additionally, incorporating transition music, similar to what is used in the TV show, could have enhanced the flow and seamlessly covered these scene changes.

For those who missed it, they truly missed an epic end to Act 1 – the talent show. This segment was hilarious, especially the striptease by Jim, Owen, and Frank to "Hot Stuff" from The Full Monty. The audience was in stitches! The lighting was timed to perfection, leaving everyone wondering whether they went all the way – Lord forgive us!

Overall, this was a well-directed and thoughtfully executed production, a true credit to the newly formed Hilarity Theatre Group and Director Samantha Bardini. As I exited the theatre, the buzz of positive comments from the audience confirmed that everyone had enjoyed a fantastic afternoon.

Well done all those who were involved and I look forward to what Hilarity Theatre Group tackle next.

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