Thurston Community Players return with The Vicar of Dibley production at village community college

An amateur dramatics group is gearing up for a return to the stage with a production of The Vicar of Dibley.

Sarah Cornell, 61, has been teaching drama for more than 30 years and founded the Thurston Community Players in September 2023, with the group’s inaugural production of Cinderella taking place in March last year.

Their new Vicar of Dibley production is on May 30 (7.30pm) and May 31 (2.30pm and 7.30pm) at Thurston Community College.

Sarah, who teaches at Thetford Grammar School, is directing and acting in a production for the first time, and is looking forward to being on the stage next week.

“It’s a really lovely moment for our group and we’re all feeling very buoyant and excited about it,” she said.

“While other local theatre groups are struggling to survive, we are doing well, thanks to the amazing support from our audience and funding from the parish council which has helped give us some good foundation.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever acted and directed in the same show. Everyone has helped me out and it has taken a long time to get it right but honestly the whole thing has been a joy.

“We’ve got a really good cast and we have had so many laughs putting this together so we hope everyone enjoys watching it.”

Sarah, who places Alice Tinker in the show, added: “This production is made so much sweeter by the fact that all the royalties for the show are donated to the Comic Relief charity.”

Tickets for The Vicar of Dibley production are £12 for adults and £8 for concessions.

Group discounts are available for groups of four or more.

Once the Thurston Community Players finish their upcoming production, they will begin planning their next pantomime which will be put on in February.