A theatre that hosted the world premiere of a stage version of Father Ted is to stage a production of another TV comedy.
Hit BBC series The Vicar of Dibley will grace the stage of Concordia Theatre, in Hinckley, next month.
New Theatre Players are performing four episodes of the sitcom set in an Oxfordshire village.
It revolves around the new female vicar – played by Dawn French on TV – after the Church of England allowed women to be ordained.
Director Liz Huddlestone said: "We are all finding it very hard to keep a straight face during rehearsals. It has been great fun.
"With the script being so snappy, and having four episodes, it is a lot for the cast to remember.
"When it is on TV they do a scene and then have time off and then do another – we will be doing four in a row.
"It should be really fun and a great night out."
The cast are performing four episodes – The Arrival, The Easter Bunny, The Engagement and The Nativity.
They were given permission to stage the show – which has been performed in a few theatres around the country – by scriptwriter Richard Curtis, the man also responsible for Mr Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Bridget Jones's Diary.
He did not want to be paid, instead asking New Theatre Players to make a donation to Comic Relief.
Sue Williams-Lee is playing the part of Alice Tinker, the church's dippy verger.
"The episodes which have been chosen are quite good for Alice – she goes from being so shy around Hugo to being engaged to having a baby," said the 43-year-old, from Barwell.
"There are so many funny bits, but the bit that always gets me is the bit where we have to audition for parts in the nativity.
"I have to speak Hebrew and it has been hilarious getting it to sound vaguely like Hebrew.
"Then there's the three kings – let's just say they come up with something you would not expect."
As well as Father Ted, the Concordia has staged versions of hit TV series including Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army and the Darling Buds of May.
The show takes to the stage between Tuesday, December 4 and Saturday, December 8.
Tickets can be bought from Harpers Newshound, in The Borough, Hinckley, by calling 01455 615005 or 01455 613 345, or by e-mailing:
ntptickets@ntlworld.com
