One of the best-loved characters in The Vicar of Dibley was iconic Owen Newitt, played by the late Roger Lloyd-Pack.
Roger had an affinity for the Algarve and was a frequent visitor to his brother, Christopher Lloyd-Pack, who has lived near Lagos for many years.
Christopher, who has also been involved in theatre both onstage and off, and who now teaches GCSE Drama at Aljezur International school, very kindly met us at a recent rehearsal with the Western Algarve Community Choir in Almadena.
Christopher told us, “I am delighted to hear The Vicar of Dibley is to be performed in my back yard. I’m looking forward to seeing how the many episodes have been adapted to a 90-minute stage play. I loved the epilogues when Geraldine tells Alice a joke, that she never quite seems to get”.
Christopher assures us he will be going to see the play and will be taking as many of his students as possible. It is not easy to find English-speaking theatre in the Algarve, he mentioned in passing.
Roger was a talented actor playing parts from Shakespeare through to comedy and also had an immense love of poetry. With a great sense of humour he was also a humble man and continues to be remembered with Call Everyone Dave Day. This was set up in his honour and is a fundraiser on JustGiving to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK - Roger sadly lost his life to pancreatic cancer in January 2014, just weeks before his 70th birthday. He was married to the very talented Jehane Markham.
Chris Winstanley, who is playing the part of Owen in The Algarveans’ production, told us that he won’t be impersonating Roger as he couldn’t possibly play the part as Roger did but, he will add his own take on the character and hopes to do the part justice.
The Vicar of Dibley, sponsored by algarvehomesales.com, will be performed at the Lagoa Auditorium on June 28, 29 and 30, starting at 7.45pm.
Tickets, priced €12, are already available from the Box Office via the website – www.thealgarveans.com or you can telephone either 966 211 634 or 913 723 611. With the play already proving to be a hit The Algarveans are suggesting people book now in order to avoid disappointment.
Proceeds will be used towards a training room for the Lagoa firefighters (Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagoa).
