The Vicar of Dibley - Altrincham Garrick

THE sense of affection for this classic sitcom was so strong in the Garrick auditorium I felt I could reach out and touch it during a production that was a joy from start to finish, offering us audience members a brief and much needed escape from these miserable times.

When the original TV version was shown for the first time it felt like a breath of fresh air as the central character, a female vicar, was a far cry from the clergy I’d come across previously in the genre.

But not once during Peter Brassington’s production was I tempted to compare this version with the one millions of us took to our hearts on the small screen. Brassington’s production more than stands on its own merits with a very fine cast each putting their own stamp on roles initially made famous by Dawn French and company.

It probably helps if you are familiar with the BBC original but that’s not essential. The script if it were a meal would be Michelin star with top quality gags coming thick and fast. While there is a smattering of naughty words there’s nothing to offend anybody here.

The relationship between the new vicar Geraldine Granger and the parish’s disarmingly dim and oh so lovable verger Alice is comedy gold thanks to exquisite timing from Meg Brassington and Helen Swain. Equally hilarious is the blossoming romance between Alice and the downtrodden Hugo Horton, a perfect role for Dan Ellis.

Watching Hugo and Alice cavorting around the stage is like watching two adult children who occasionally flirt with the grown up stuff while retaining a child like innocence.

Who could forget Letitia Cropley - Christine Perry - a woman with a unique approach to home cooking.

Other acting treats include Andrew Higson as the farmer Owen, a man with manners to make you wince and Hugh Everett as the buttoned up father of Hugo, David, a man for whom tact is a dirty word.

I feel I’ve just watched the best comedy to grace the Garrick stage for the past five years. Flawless and outstanding - in every respect.

Until March 2. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Star rating - *****

Photo - Martin Ogden.