BASSENDEAN resident Meredith Hunter will star in a new stage production of the British sitcom ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ as the titular character, also known as Geraldine.

A family lawyer by day, Ms Hunter said she has been an amateur actor since the mid-1980s, and over time involving herself in community theatre has become an integral part of her life and mental health.

“I honestly don’t think I would be able to manage my day jobs without theatre in my life. I do indeed have a very busy life as a family lawyer, mediator, arbitrator, and child consultant, and I also host Bogan Bingo on the weekends and do a bit of sessional lecturing work at Curtin, but if it wasn’t for the theatre, then all I would do is work, cook, eat, clean and sleep, which is no kind of life,” she said.

“What I love about theatre is that it is a complete escape for me. I can’t possibly think about work when I am performing a role, especially a large one like Geraldine Granger in the Vicar of Dibley, as my mind is too busy concentrating on lines, moves, characterisation, ensuring I can help another actor if they lose a line, ensuring I don’t get distracted if I drop a line, or the audience reacts in an unexpected way, making sure I have done my costume changes at the right time and they look right, and making sure I have my props.”

Ms Hunter said while being involved in productions is a great way to have some fun, the lengthy process involved in producing a stage show isn’t without its challenges.

“It has been a bit tricky as some of the actors have been away so we have been running some rehearsals where some of us are reading in for other actors, so it can sort of feel like you are going a bit mad when you are asking yourself a question as one character and responding as another, but that is just what it is like to be part of a community theatre production. None of us are divas and we just get on and do what needs to be done,” she said.

Ms Hunter wants audiences to go on a lively, amusing trip down memory lane to the well-loved sitcom with their production’s unmistakable characters.

“I’ve done numerous plays with our director, Jarrod Buttery. When I found out he was staging the Vicar of Dibley, I was immediately interested, as although I had not watched all of the episodes, the ones I had seen had been hilarious and I thought Dawn French was an awesome actress.”

Directed by Dr Jarrod Buttery, the production is based on the original 1990s TV series, with the script spanning the first two seasons of the show.

Dr Buttery said the production was full of high energy and laughs.

“The TV show is a classic because of its script and the iconic characters. The play distils favourite scenes from the show and the cast is amazing with their commitment in bringing these characters to life,” he said.

The production will be staged in the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall and will play from August 30 to September 7.