The Vicar of Dibley

The Vicar of Dibley

Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft

Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 3 September 2013

No, no, no, yes!, TV’s Dibley works on stage

It’s a challenge to put the bunch of well-loved, well-known characters who people the TV village of Dibley on the stage with inevitable comparisons with the originals.

Director John Hales excels in a masterful showcase of comic madnesses personified by deliciously loopy Alice Tinker (Sharn McDonald), irascible David Horton (Ian Hart), gently eccentric Hugo (Will Isgrove), stuttering sex-obsessed Jim Trott (Bob Vivian), strangely dark Frank Pickle (Roger Lee), earthy farmer Owen Hewitt (Nick Murray-Brown) and culinary experimenter Letty Cropley (Marion Small).

The Vicar, Geraldine Granger, is played by Agnes Lillis who captures the essence of Dawn French’s version but brings a self-knowing amusement that makes the part all her own.

Laughs come thick and fast from the familiar clever script and from good comic timing. Letty’s demise is a contrasting, poignant moment.

This motley but talented crew are ably supported by Ivan Whomes and Abi Watson in minor roles and a group of wonderful villagers. Scene changing is a work of art in its own right.

This show will deservedly be remembered as a Seagull Rep classic.