The Vicar Of Dibley

Tyldesley Little Theatre

WHAT better way to open a new theatrical season than with a stage version of a family favourite sit –com.

Tyldesley Little Theatre (TLT) did just that with a full to capacity audience with their production of "The Vicar Of Dibley".

The well known characters were brought to life by a line up of actors who worked extremely well together. It is absolutely essential with such a well known piece, that the actors’ interpretation meets the audience expectations. We weren’t disappointed.

The stage version is made up of actual episodes from the series using the same scripts and this is what adds to the reality of the piece.

In the role of David Horton, Chairman of the Parish Council, is Keith Brian who brought just the right amount of pompous snobbery to the role. He commanded the stage well. Andrea Peters as Geraldine Grainger handled the role effectively and played some great scenes with Cathryn Megan Hughes as her Verger, Alice Horton. Cathryn has great comic timing and the famous ‘I can’t believe it’s not butter monologue received a well deserved round of applause. Horton’s son Hugo was interpreted with the right amount of naivety by Cameron Rowe whose love for Alice is the main thread of the storyline. Completing the Parish Council Committee was Ian Pattison as Jim Trott. Ian executed the "no, no, no yes" lib very well. Womanising farmer, Owen Newitt, portrayed by Bill Rogers and Minute taking Frank Pickle played by Ian Hunter along with Joan Rogers as recipe mis-matching Letitia Cropley added to the humour with some excellent delivery of one liners.

A split set depicting the Parish Hall Meeting Room and the lounge of the Vicarage was well presented then transformed simply but effectively into the interior of the Church. Well done to the stage management team.

Directed by Matt Walshaw, this was a very good season opener for TLT.

Graham Cohen