People's Theatre
2nd Oct 2019
The People's Theatre have chosen a crowd-pulling TV favourite for the first show in the main theatre this season. This stage adaptation of the Vicar of Dibley offers some key moments from the original series, while the developing romance between Alice Tinker and Hugo Horton provides the thread hat holds it all together. This makes it into a cohesive play rather than a series of funny sketches.
As always with an television adaptation, the cast are faced with the dilemma of reproducing beloved characters on stage. There is little room to put their own stamp on the characters for fear of alienating the audience, so it seems to me it must take a different approach to the acting and directing. Luckily, the original writers of the Vicar of Dibley created a set of the most eccentric characters. Each one has a foible which essentially defines their character. This eccentric band of villagers are more like caricatures and if the actor gets that foible right, then the rest is plain sailing. Happily, People's team have this spot on. All the favourites are there, quite lovingly recreated, from unconventional vicar Geraldine Granger right through to the dippy Alice Tinker and hilariously stuttering Jim Trott.
The large People's Theatre stage is perfect for the zoned staging which allows characters to move seamlessly from the Vicar's house, to Horton Manor, to the Church (for those all important Parish Council Meetings!). Each set area is lit individually, to ensure we focus on the scene in hand while some very funny freeze framing lets us know that a change is on the way...full marks for holding the pose!
It's impossible to pick out one performance over another - each one is hilariously accurate in the portrayal, but I did love the trio of Tony Seghal as Jim Trott, Mike Smith as Frank Pickle and John MacDonald as Owen Newitt. There were plenty of guffaws and giggles from the audience throughout - and obviously the knock out scene is Alice's Wedding. No spoilers - you have to see it for yourself to truly appreciate its beauty!
It's fun, it's silly and it is an hour and a half of escapism - which is heartily needed at the moment. The full auditorium is testament to the love we have of our sitcoms. The laughter during and the chatter afterwards are testament to another great production at the People's Theatre.
The Vicar of Dibley runs until Sarurday 5th October. I recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. It will tickle your funny bone.
Denise Sparrowhawk
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