The Vicar Of Dibley

In one of those bizarre twists of nature, this reviewer somehow managed to completely miss the Dibley Train when it pulled into the ABC station all those years ago. While a lot of English Sitcoms rate very highly in my top 40 TV shows of all time, quite a few cult hits are missing. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for it really. So this review comes from the freshest of perspectives on the piece.

From the very opening sequence there was little doubt that the theatre was full of fans. The laughter rang out from the moment the curtain opened – and all the cast had to do was walk (idiosyncratically) from one side of the stage to the other. The actors had obviously all put a lot of work into their characterisations because it wasn't long before I too was laughing my head off.

An infectious affection and chemistry was certainly evident amongst the strong ensemble which enhanced the enjoyment of the typically British humour. The performances were so enjoyable that I could almost forgive the occasional appallingly-sexist quip (discovering later that Richard Curtis was one of the co-writers, came as no surprise, really. The 'Love Actually' and 'Boat that Rocked' writer really does seem to have some issues).

All of that mostly-flimsy, feminist flinching aside, I couldn't help but wonder if it was even remotely possible that any other stage production in the known universe could ever cast a Vicar who is as much of a Dawn French doppelganger as Jillian Logan. It's not merely in her physical appearance – which is undoubtedly similar, but her charismatic warmth and guileless, yet pinpoint comedic timing was the very embodiment of French. Seriously – Jennifer Saunders could take her on a comedy tour and I doubt anyone would notice the difference.

Meanwhile WDG veterans Laszlo Weidlich and Hagen Heinrich were reliably adorable as Jim and Frank. Justin O'Connor was fabulously 'icky' as Owen, while Scott Russell and (impressive newcomer) Gabrielle Brooks brought tears of laughter with some of their scenes and Gabrielle's mum Donna was cute as Letitia. Musical theatre regular Greg Buist demonstrated his versatility as the despicable David. (Ok, I think I get it, Dibley tragics, we definitely don't like that guy, do we?)

A few technical glitches on opening night could not dampen the audience's enjoyment of this madcap mob of misfits. The end result is a credit to the surprisingly young directorial team of Madeline Parker and Alexandra Travers.

Rose Cooper

Photographer: James Beggs Imaging