Yass Repertory Society's play Don't Get Your Vicars in a Twist

Presented by Yass Repertory, the action starts when church warden, George (Greg Seckold), connives to pay for his daughter’s lavish wedding by renting out the vicarage to a theatrical company that specialises in murder mystery weekends.

It helps that the vicarage has been empty for several weeks. But, the bishop (Rod Percival) is in a rush to implement the church’s policy to allow female vicars, so promptly selects young and attractive Caroline (Narelle Burgess) to fill the role.

Luckily, Caroline decides to attend a college reunion on the relevant weekend, so George thinks his money-making plan can proceed. Or can it? 

Mayhem soon reigns with the arrival of Dickie (Joe Morrissey), who runs the theatrical company, and Alan (Geoff Caswell), another church warden who is sweet on the new vicar.  

Much to George’s dismay, Dickie isn’t keen to pay upfront for using the vicarage and Alan is distressed to find he’s been roped into an elaborate subterfuge.

And things are just getting started. As the actors and guests arrive, the hilarity goes into overdrive. 

Ronald (Bernie Neil) and Marigold (Bev Leaney) have no intention of observing the alcohol ban, and Maddie (Raelene Hall) is on the prowl for a man, including Charles (Trent Huber), who is most unhappy about having to dress as a woman.

Busybody sisters Freda (Julie Campbell) and Angela (Jean Frost) round out the cast. They wrongly like to think they know what’s going on: is it blackmail, murder, sex – or all three?

Their confusion is understandable – the script is loaded with every misunderstanding and misinterpretation one can imagine.

Playwrights, Lesley Bown and Ann Gawthorpe, have penned memorable and laugh-out-loud one-liners and wonderful visual gimmicks. Nothing is sacred. 

You get two bishops – one drunk and one a punching bag – a nymphomaniac widow, a tipsy diva, two actors in drag, two church wardens sometimes in drag, a lot of doors opening and closing and being locked, two prim sisters and the vicar’s unexpected return.

Dress rehearsal had a few flubbed and forgotten lines, but nothing that detracted from the play’s fantastic charm and clever humour. The compact set, created by director Louise Wilder and Winston Williams, is well designed and works perfectly. 

Ms Wilder has chosen a perfect play to brighten the grey days of winter. Don’t miss it. This reviewer especially enjoyed the bantering between George and Alan. What a pair. And Ronald is very convincing and entertaining drunk.

Performances are August 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and September 1 at 8pm. Matinee is on August 25 at 2pm.

Yass Repertory Society is the oldest, continually operating, amateur theatre in Australia. It began in 1946 with a one-act play, produced by a talented Bookham cast at the Yass Flower Show.