THE GENIUS scriptwriting of the legendary Richard Curtis was brought to life when Fair Share Theatre performed the stage version of The Vicar of Dibley.
The show features four episodes – The Arrival, Engagement, Radio Dibley and Love and Marriage – performed at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Kidderminster.
Whilst having this proven funny script is obviously a Godsend (pun intended), converting a TV sitcom needs a versatile stage for quick scene changes.
The set here was well done, acting as David Horton’s house, Vicar Geraldine Grainger’s living room, a field with a gate and parish hall (we were already in a church so no problem there).
In fact, the church setting could not have been more perfect. A massive ornate stained glass window provided the ambiance and as the evening got darker, it provided a real subconscious sense of time passing.
It also came in handy for the in church scenes when the audience doubled as a congregation – even being roped into singing hymns during the vicar’s service. The wedding was also interesting as looking around it felt like you were genuinely part of Hugo and Alice’s ceremony – and the crowd could not have looked more thrilled for them.
The organ and organist was also a beautiful touch – shout out to Laurence Nicholas for his varied repertoire from hymns to pop songs and TV themes which played out while the sets were switched.
The Cast
The talented cast certainly rose to the challenge of putting on this classic (with such big shoes and cassocks to fill).
Julie Merry had a fine five minutes of fame as ‘the woman’, while Nathan Beckett-Wilde and Jacquelyn Cook were solid as Simon and Mrs Cropley.
Tony Boardman was great as ‘dull but endearing’ Frank and got the biggest ‘awww’ moment during his Radio Dibley show.
Likewise, Tam Weir was good as sex-obsessed Jim, particularly in the wedding episode with the best man’s speech and some loud singing (and of course the ‘no, no, no, no, no, no, yes’ bits).
Neil Waghorn made for a fantastic Farmer Owen with all his outrageous antics and stories about his bizarre bowel movements getting a few laughs throughout.
Ben Beckett-Wilde played his role of naive but wholesome Hugo well and Michael Steiger was equally as good as snobby and arrogant parish council chair David.
But the performances of the night go to Dani Davis as popular and exuberant Vicar Geraldine and Megan Crosby as dippy but lovable Alice.
Both had the intonation, mannerisms, facial expressions and comedy timing mastered.
Crosby frequently had those watching in hysterics and Davis brought so much energy to her character and the whole show.
The only criticism was it was difficult for some towards the back of the crowd being able to see the action on stage clearly but, logistically, it was not possible for the stage to be higher than it was.
God bless the cast, crew and directors Nathan Beckett-Wilde and Josie Marston for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening.
Fair Share’s Vicar of Dibley is well worth a watch.
The final performance is at 7.30pm on Saturday (May 17). Click here for times, tickets and more information.
