A Vicar of Dibley Christmas - The Second Coming

WHEN I was growing up in the 70s and early 80s, any vicar I came across in sitcoms were dull and forgettable.

Then alone came Geraldine Granger, a breath of fresh air, prone to some harmless flirting with her male parishioners,, a gregarious character with at times, a sometimes naughty sense of humour.

This was a great vehicle for Dawn French and its creators, as they took great pleasure in driving over our expectations.

While Meg Brassington gives us a flavour of French, this isn’t an impersonation and she manages to bring her own interpretation to the much loved role and there are some memorable exchanges and a natural rapport between her and her verger Alice, a character whose train of thought defies description while acting as a major source of laughs.

As Alice, Helen Swain is fun from the very start and its impossible not to warm to her and her husband Hugo, played with a perfect degree of silliness by Dan Ellis. Both are adult children, full of disarming innocence that’s the main source of their appeal.

Another aspect of the TV show which made it so appealing was the strength of all those in it, including Owen the farmer, a man totally devoid of social skills and the boringly meticulous Frank Pickle, both a gift for Andrew Higson and Bill Platt.

Director Pete Brassington’s production is sure to get audiences in a festive mood. Even Victor Meldrew would raise a smile or two watching this.

At the time of writing there were just a few tickets left.

Until November 23. Anyone interested in booking them should call 0161 928 1677 or they are available online at www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - ****

Photo - Martin Ogden.