The Vicar of Dibley, Little Theatre Leicester Review
Photo by Dave Morris
Written by Hollie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This production contains strong language
What do you think of when you see an organ, a framed photograph of Mel Gibson, a painting of Jesus Christ and a bright and colourful knitted cardigan? Geraldine Granger of course! Opening at Leicester’s Little Theatre this week is the hilariously wonderful The Vicar of Dibley, directed by Nikki Favell in her first directing role on the main stage at The Little Theatre.
The audience are welcomed to the rural village of Dibley via the Village Hall, where the parish council meeting is taking place after the recent death of the greatly missed Reverend Pottle. Councillor David Horton, played by David Lovell, leads the meeting and reminds the councillors that the new vicar will be joining them any minute, with the hope that with the introduction of the new vicar, the ‘village can get going again.’
Much to the parish councillors’ dismay, in walks a young bubbly female vicar called Geraldine, who has an interesting taste in cardigans and jumpers. Kat Seddon plays the loveable new vicar, and from the minute she walks onto the stage, she has not only the mannerisms but also the same sense of humour and voice of Dawn French, who played Geraldine in the 90s sitcom of the same name.
The same can be said for all the actors on stage, including Ian Carr who plays the equally memorable Jim Trott and Jordan Handford, who plays Owen Newitt. Both bring quick wit and a dry sense of humour to their roles. I would have liked to see some more words of wisdom from Councillor Jim throughout the show, but the lines he did have were incredibly entertaining! All the actors have really studied their parts and have essentially become the characters that they are playing. At times, I felt as though I was watching the real Vicar of Dibley on TV as I did in the 1990s. I have never laughed as much at the theatre as I did when I went to see this show!
As the play moves on, there is outrage amongst the congregation as the new female vicar begins her post. Also, a romantic love story begins between Hugo, brilliantly played by Keir Watson, and Alice Tinker, played effortlessly by Kathryn Lenthall. The love story between Hugo and Alice is all thanks to Geraldine and her involvement as ‘a cupid that’s not stupid.’
As well as being busy playing Cupid, Geraldine also encourages everyone at the parish council to give up something for lent. With every broken Lenten promise a £1 goes into the collective jar as a fund towards the new video club that the villagers are going to begin on a Friday evening. What will the villagers give up for lent and who will break their promise?
The fabulous acting does not take anything away from the meticulously detailed scenery designed by Tristan Knowles and his team, which provides a magnificent backdrop to the scenes in the village hall, the church and in the vicarage. The scenery is incredibly accurate to the set that we all know and love from the TV series, down to the chocolate box on the coffee table, the post-it notes adorning the walls and the community noticeboard in the village hall.
There is so much in this production to laugh out loud at and reminisce on from such a beloved British sitcom, that I don’t think you can take it all in and understand all the underlying jokes within one sitting. I would highly recommend grabbing yourself a ticket this week, but if not I look forward to seeing what director Nikki Favell brings to the stage soon.
The Vicar of Dibley continues its run this week at Leicester’s Little Theatre until Saturday 29th March 2025.
Why not take a look at some of the other plays and productions that are taking place at The Little Theatre in the coming months including: The Full Monty from Tuesday 1st April, Macbeth from Wednesday 16th April or The Wind in the Willows from Friday 16th May 2025.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
