Chesterfield Operatic Society rings the changes by staging comedy play The Vicar of Dibley

After more than 100 years of entertaining the public of north Derbyshire with operettas and musicals, Chesterfield Operatic Society is branching out with a comedy play, The Vicar of Dibley.
The Vicar of Dibley presented by Chesterfield Operatic Society. Left to right are Alison Doram (Alice), Pauline Hindle (Geraldine), Heath Parkin (Owen) and Richard Leivers (JimThe Vicar of Dibley presented by Chesterfield Operatic Society. Left to right are Alison Doram (Alice), Pauline Hindle (Geraldine), Heath Parkin (Owen) and Richard Leivers (Jim
The Vicar of Dibley presented by Chesterfield Operatic Society. Left to right are Alison Doram (Alice), Pauline Hindle (Geraldine), Heath Parkin (Owen) and Richard Leivers (Jim

A successful Derbyshire premiere of Evita by the society last month will be followed by the “Vicar” at Hasland Playhouse next week.

The production will mark society regular Karl Brennan’s directorial debut and feature many well-known faces from recent musicals.

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“It’s been very strange being on the other side of the stage,” said Karl, “and as a director I now know how important it is for the cast to know their lines so that we can progress scenes.

“It has been brilliant to work with a small team as a starter. I’ve done “Vicar” before, which helps, but it is challenging to develop the relationships between the characters in this production.”

The central character of Geraldine (the Vicar) is being taken by operatic society stalwart Pauline Hindle, with Ian Jones playing David Horton, Heath Parkin as Owen, experienced Sue Siddall as Mrs Cropley....and watch out for Richard Lievers as Jim.

Society chairman Doug Melloy said that the enthusiasm of members drove the decision to perform The Vicar of Dibley and, “who knows, this may be the first of a repeat of plays and musicals in one year.”

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The Vicar of Dibley runs at Hasland Playhouse from Monday, May 25 to Saturday, May 30, at 7.30pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets can be booked from the society’s tickets secretary, Robert Newton, on 01246 477532.

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