The Vicar Of Dibley Series 1, Episode 2 - Songs Of Praise - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)

Geraldine receives a letter from the BBC: they've heard of her incumbency, and want to film an episode of Songs Of Praise in the village. David is far from keen, but finds himself outvoted by the other councillors. When the crew turn up, the vicar is particularly enamoured by the dashing young producer, Tristan; unfortunately the recording does not go smoothly.

Further details

The BBC writes to Geraldine to ask permission to film Songs Of Praise in Dibley. She and the other villagers, apart from David, are delighted, especially as their reason for filming is because of the new female vicar!

As well as complaining about the BBC's motivation for filming in Dibley church, David mentions that he's bought a new Bible for the church with traditional script. A choir is recruited, the process of which involves listening to lots of talentless auditionees. And elsewhere Alice only just manages to rehearse her reading.

When Geraldine meets the Songs Of Praise producer Tristan Campbell, she finds him very attractive and flirts badly with him; similarly, David fancies the camera(wo)man, who he discovers checking the church's lighting.

During the filming, the villagers have problems with remembering when to laugh, causing several labourious takes. Once the BBC crew have left Dibley both Geraldine and David follow up the phone numbers they've managed to gain from Tristan and the camera lady, but find that they share the same number and must therefore be dating.

Finally, all gather to watch the TV programme, which is greatly embarrassing for Geraldine who can't sing and is shown with a double-chin; and equally for Alice who can't understand old script and misreads Fs and Ss!

Broadcast details

Date

Thursday 17th November 1994

Time

8:30pm

Channel

BBC One

Length

30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast

Dawn French Geraldine Grainger
Emma Chambers Alice Tinker
Gary Waldhorn David Horton
James Fleet Hugo Horton
John Bluthal Frank Pickle
Trevor Peacock Jim Trott
Roger Lloyd Pack Owen Newitt
Liz Smith Letitia Cropley

Guest cast

Simon McBurney Cecil (Choir Master)
Peter Capaldi Tristan Campbell
Connie Hyde Ruth
Patricia Kane Doris Trott
Gareth Vaughan Gonads

Writing team

Richard Curtis Writer
Emma Freud Script Editor
Kit Hesketh-Harvey Writer

Production team

Dewi Humphreys Director
Jon Plowman Producer
Richard Curtis Executive Producer
Peter Bennett-Jones Executive Producer
Sue Vertue Associate Producer
Mark Sangster Editor
Andrew Howe-Davies Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer