Happy (back) together

The cast of the Vicar of Dibley series have been enjoying rehearsing together again, for the third instalment, in Musical Theatre Gisborne’s latest production. Hugo McGuinness (left) is back as David Horton, Dave Newsham is Frank Pickle and Quannah Nickerson is still having fun with Geraldine Granger. Pictures supplied

The cast of colourful characters in The Vicar of Dibley plays are back together again, in the latest offering from Musical Theatre Gisborne, with first-time director Jill White putting her own mark on the production.

The Holy Trinity is the third play in the series based on the much-loved BBC series starring Dawn French.

White said she was loving sitting in the director’s chair.

“The cast have made the process very easy, and knowing the play so well, after countless viewings of the TV series, has also made my vision easy to achieve.

“There is also a great team helping behind the scenes on set building and props  — it’s a very collaborative process.”

With more than 20 years of experience as an actor with Unity and Evolution theatres and in various production roles, this is White’s first time working with Musical Theatre Gisborne.

“The show is coming on really well. Right from the outset, the actors arrived and transformed into their characters,” she said.

“As this is the third time the group has been together, the start of rehearsals was almost like a family reunion — everyone is very comfortable with their characters, and this shows in the play.”

Appearing in The Vicar of Dibley in 2019 and then in the 2022 production A Vicar of Dibley Christmas, Quannah Nickerson will don cassock and collar again in this third instalment.

She has had plenty of time to perfect the role and said she may have been typecast now but was happy as “the clever, funny and kind vicar”.

“It is so cool to be part of a trilogy,” Nickerson said.

“How many actors have the opportunity to play the same character in a variety of story lines, especially on the stage?

“Jill White has sprinkled musical gems throughout the show, making use of the fabulous voices of the cast.”

Nickerson said the best part of playing the Vicar Geraldine Granger was bringing her bubbly, energetic and charismatic character to the stage.

“Just as Geraldine is fond of the bizarre and dangerously odd villagers, I am fond of the talented and cheeky cast who bring these weirdos to life.

“It is such an enjoyable, silly show. We have so much fun at rehearsals and we are still laughing at the jokes, so I can guarantee the audience will find it funny.”

White agrees.

“Anyone who has watched and loved the TV series should definitely come and see this final instalment.

“I believe that when people come to see a production based on a TV show, they expect it to be as close to the original as possible and they won’t be disappointed. There will be plenty of laughs.”

■ The Vicar of Dibley May 9 - 18 at MTG Clubhouse Theatre, 101 Innes Street. Book through Eventfinda