Meg Brassington Archives - North West End UK

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

19Nov

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

A Vicar of Dibley Christmas – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Bringing the much-loved Vicar of Dibley to life on stage is no small task. The iconic characters, rapid scene changes, and the demands of adapting a TV script for live theatre present significant challenges, yet the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse production rises admirably to the occasion. Director Pete Brassington acknowledges the complexity of staging this comedy, particularly the numerous costume changes needed to depict the passage of time. You can't talk about the Vicar of Dibley without mentioning the leading lady, and in this case, it was Meg Brassington stepping into the role of Geraldine Granger, made famous by the iconic Dawn French. Her sardonic tone and impeccable comic timing, accentuated by “pauses” and subtle expressions, anchor the production with authenticity and humour. ...

Merrily We Roll Along – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

With an uncanny sense of timing, Director Joseph Meighan and the creative team at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse open their production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ on the same day it was announced that the current Broadway production won 4 Tony awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. So, if a trip to New York is beyond the budget of south Manchester residents, this week they get the opportunity to see a superb rendition of this poignant commentary on the nature of friendship at their local theatre instead. On its initial run in 1981, ‘Merrily’ closed after just two weeks and was a commercial disaster for Sondheim and co-writer George Furth, critics at the time found the storyline confusing and the characters unsympathetic and audiences agreed. But, as with many Sondh...

The Vicar of Dibley – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Altrincham Garrick Playhouse’s The Vicar of Dibley transported audiences back to the quirky charm of the beloved TV series, delivering an evening of uproarious laughter and heartwarming moments. Directed by Pete Brassington, the production showcased the talents of a remarkable cast of amateur performers who breathed new life into the iconic characters. Meg Brassington shone as the irrepressible Geraldine Granger, infusing the role with wit, warmth, and a touch of sass. Opposite her, Hugh Everett embodied the pompous yet endearing David Horton, while Dan Ellis captured the bumbling charm of Hugo Horton. Helen Swain charmed as the sweet-natured but somewhat dim-witted Alice Tinker, eliciting plenty of laughs with her comedic timing. Christine Perry brought Letitia Cropley to life w...