Often when I have done shows I get to the end of the run and when I have enjoyed it the worst part is knowing that you will not have this experience again. You put all that work into developing your character and getting into the groove and then, blink it is over. I thought about this while watching A Vicar of Dibley Christmas: The Second Coming, performed by Henry Lawson. Having already seen and reviewed the first production, I have enjoyed seeing this performance which in many ways saw an elevation and in others changes that made the experience different.
Director Rhonda Hancock led her ensemble beautifully as they captured the pastoral charm within the village of Dibley. Nicole Madden once again led the piece as the role was made iconic by the great Dawn French, the titular vicar Geraldine Granger. Madden has a strong presence on stage and has the warmth and bite required for the vicar. Her scenes opposite Holly-Leigh Prophet remain a constant source of joy and laughter. With all due respect to everyone on stage, who is doing a great job, the star of the piece is Prophet in the role of Alice Horton (nee Tinker). Prophet’s line reading is stellar, this character was written for her and every single joke landed and landed well. More than once in the performance I attended Prophet had the whole theatre in thunderous laughter.
Matthew Doherty, who reprises his role as Hugo Horton is an excellent partner to Prophet’s Alice. Doherty injects the charter with the most golden retriever energy I have ever seen. So earnest and big-hearted, Doherty’s performance is intensely likable. Rounding out the Horton family is the antagonist, David Horton. In true sitcom fashion, between seasons a casting change has happened, and the role of David Horton is now played by Christopher Pali. Pali is a strong disapproving paternal energy that is perfect for the senior Horton. His facial expressions are perfect, and his timing and delivery are so good that I could honestly imagine Pali fitting right in on the set of a sitcom. The rest of the ensemble is rounded out quite nicely with the likes of Ken Fletcher, who gives the most heartwarming and poignant performances of the night, with the single best costume quick change I have seen in recent years. Mark Prophet whose Jim Trott is so funny, particularly because of the physicality and commitment of Prophet, who is another one whose punchlines were always exactly on point. The role of Letitia Cropley was meant to be played by Beverly Mooney, however, due to Illness, was played by Rebecca Fletcher. Fletcher’s performance illustrated two key things, her skill as an actor slipping into the ensemble with only a day's notice and proof that there are no small roles in theatre. Cropley has the fewest lines in the ensemble, but Fletcher was always so present on stage and pulled focus (in a good way) with her physicality and reactions. Elliott Prophet does a fine job as Owen Newitt, giving the exact amount of smarmy needed for the character and really committing to the physical comedy in the hilarious final scenes of the play.
The only issue I have with the show is a gripe I have with all shows that are sitcoms adapted for the stage, timing and pace. This is not a knock on the cast and crew who did their best to ensure that transitions were as swift and seamless as possible, however, when you adapt something that is meant to be quickly cut from one scene to the next there will be an impact on the pace that is noticeable, particularly if you are aware of the source material. While, again, I do think that the crew at Henry Lawson did their best, I think they were working against a failing of the script.
There are many elements that I could mention such as the fabulous set and costumes, but as this was a sequel of the previous productions, I don’t need to rehash that, go and read the previous one because everything I said then is still true. But in all honesty, costuming and set is something I have come to expect as a strength of the Henry Lawson team.
The Vicar of Dibley proves that you can recapture the magic of a previous performance and perhaps even build on it. I recommend this show to anyone who likes a good knock-knock joke.