“Vicar Of Dibley” by Beeston Players
Round Hill School Beeston

This stage play by Ian Gower and Paul carpenter has been adapted from the original TV series by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, this is a selection of scenes from the TV programme segued together, starting from Geraldine's arrival to her relocation to Liverpool.

Being a massive fan of the TV series, I instantly recognised the scenes and found myself reciting the lines in my head as they were being played out before my eyes.

We even became guests at Alice and Hugo's wedding using the gap between the sets of seats as the church aisle.

Nicola Adkin (Geraldine Granger) really channelled Dawn French, complete with Geraldine's wig, and even sounded a bit like Dawn French.

Sue Frost (Alice Tinker) was joyful to watch as the lovelorn puppy-dog of a vester, lusting after Hugo.Emma Chambers, who played Tinker in the BBC sit com was always one of my favourites wither naive and exuberant disposition, and Sue captured these qualities wonderfully. And I loved the fact that the audience showed signs of disapproval when David Horton's character berated her to Hugo.

Paul Langston (David Horton) as with the other actors, really got under the skin of the characters and while not looking similar to the TV character, you would have been able to match the recognisable characters. Wonderfully up himself, Horton not Paul, and a lovely softening of the character towards the end of the play.

Gary Frost (Hugo Horton) matched the soppiness of Hugo Horton perfectly and who else would be able to play opposite Sue as Alice but Gary?

Ian Greatorex (Frank Pickle), complete with Frank Pickle's trademark bow-tie is another who you'd recognise from the mannerisms and speech to be Frank.

Tom Jenkins (Owen Newitt) had his share of comic lines along with many un-PC "caveman" comments which again teased intakes of breath from some of the audience, but all delivered in the best possible taste.

Kevin Fairbrother (Jim Trott) did actually pay quite a resemblance to the TV character and I think this was because Kevin captured the physicality of the TV character as well as that trademark "no no no no no no no no YES" impediment that we all love with Jim.

The hair and make up for Jim also created the Jim image - or Jimage - and was the work of Maxine Taylor.

Alison Willams (Letitia Cropley) - and up to a couple of weeks ago I didn't realise that this character's name was Letitia. The trademark culinary concoctions were evident throughout, as well as the trademark hats that Letitia wore.

Karen Livesey, who also produced the show, and Lloyd Delderfield made cameos as the two schoolkids, Katie and Archie, as well as Sarah Murray close to the end of the play.

Directed by Lloyd Delderfield, not a foot was placed wrong. The segues of the scenes done brilliantly by a change of organ music, which I loved, I must get that album for my collection, as well as simple black outs and fade ups. Well paced, simple but very effective changes.

I mentioned the lighting and this was the work of Fiona Maxwell and Jazz Collins. Going hand in hand with the lighting design is the sound design and effects, courtesy of Sam Williams.

A nice split set with Geraldine's front room and the Church Hall, where all the meetings took place, cleverly designed by Sam Williams and Mark Perez.

I've been enjoying the Beeston Players for a few years now but I've not heard the same audience reaction that I experienced at the close of this show before. The final bows were greeted with well deserved enthusiastic clapping and cheering.

From the first few minutes of the play's opening scenes, a smile broke on my face which did not leave until I left the building.

The front of house staff are as welcoming and friendly as ever.

“The Vicar Of Dibley” is at Round Hill School in Beeston until Saturday 18 May’s matinee performance.