2018

Autumn

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The Vicar of Dibley

(Part 2 - The Second Coming)

by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter

adapted from the original TV series by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer

Directed by Keith Miller

	Cast
	Geraldine Granger	Libby Annetts
	Alice Tinker	Charlotte Eastes
	Hugo Horton	Tom Miller
	David Horton	Steve Hill
	Frank Pickle	Roland Garrad
	Owen Newitt	Bez Cuss
	Jim Trott	Peter Spencer
	Letitia Cropley	Anne Edwards
	Angels	Chloe Miller Jessamy Read Zoe Carey
	The Vet	Keith Miller

	Presented by the Fairlight Players with the kind permission of Tiger Aspect Productions

Director's Notes
Three years after we staged the first instalment of The Vicar of Dibley, we were pleased to be able to assemble the same talented cast to continue the story where we left off.
Libby Annetts once again dons the clerical garb as she steps into the title role. Last time, we witnessed the arrival of Geraldine Granger in Dibley to a less than enthusiastic reception from certain residents. Now, however, she has been warmly accepted by the community who she loves and cares for in her own unique way.
Part 1 concluded with the spectacular wedding of Hugo and Alice. In this production, we pick up the story with their return from honeymoon - a slightly longer than intended excursion due to Hugo's detention on drug smuggling charges. Clearly, however, the honeymoon was not a complete disaster as we subsequently discover that Alice is pregnant.
Alice's condition provides a thread throughout the play, which includes elements familiar to fans of the TV series, including Radio Dibley and the build up to the climax of the play, the Dibley Nativity.

From the auditions, through rehearsals to the final performance, the mayhem builds relentlessly while the gags come at a furious pace.Directing was a joy as this amazing cast faithfully re-created those well known and much loved characters, whilst simultaneously bringing something of their own personality to the role.
The introduction of two cut-out Roman soldiers was never seen on TV, but it solved a casting problem and saved us some money in the wardrobe department, whilst adding yet a further crazy element which seemed entirely appropriate to Dibley.

For some, there was an additional dimension to the humour with the knowledge that, in real life, it was actually the Vicar, and not Alice, who was pregnant. To her credit, Libby coped brilliantly with the challenges of coping with two demanding roles at the same time, and has since (I am very pleased to report) given birth to a very heathy little girl, who will always be able to claim that she started "treading the boards" whilst still inside her mother.

Review by Anne Lawson, Regional Representative for NODA

Well three years have rolled by and the characters from Dibley have returned to Fairlight to celebrate the coming of Christmas. A warm welcome came from Theresa (Front of House) to collect our tickets, the bar open, raffles and colourful A5 programme available, photos to view in a buzzing foyer, we looked forward to enjoying the fun, a full house.

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

I don’t think we’ve laughed quite so much! 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 – you know the jokes that she never understands! 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 inside the Vicarage with 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.

With the 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 backdrop for the Nativity 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 were perfect for each character with 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 and his bow tie then the pinks and what can I say about knitter Letitia I’ve never seen such an array of headgear and scarves. The audition garb for the ‘Kings’ with a 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 absolutely ghastly cookery recipes and her appearance through the hall pushing her lit trolley full of props for the Nativity was a great touch. Earthy Owen – a great portrayal this wonderfully crude character executed by Bez Cuss.

And finally, a mention of course of three charming glittery angels, namely Chloe Miller and Jessamy Read returning (after their non-speaking roles as Tellytubbies in the first instalment) and joined this time by Zoe Carey. What a wonderful 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. He may have given up his conducting but did manage to be a helpful life saver and delivered the baby Jesus! To all involved well done for the sheer pleasure of such a hilarious evening. Thanks to the team of helpers and for refreshments during the interval.

Anne Lawson Regional Representative NODA SE District 3