Longtime actors back on stage

Mike and Joan Street are playing Frank Pickle and Letitia Cropley in Amdram's <i>The Vicar of Dibley</i>. PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS

Longtime thespians Joan and Mike Street are back treading the boards in Amdram's production of The Vicar of Dibley.
Taking the roles of Letitia Cropley and Frank Pickle, Joan and Mike are enjoying their return to the stage.

"We felt we had lost touch with theatre, and we can't do without it," says Joan.
"It's to be involved again, a chance to be on stage. So often we've missed them through being away ... last year would have been the first time in 15 or 16 years we weren't involved, one way or another, with a play," says Mike. "We've always had one with Joan directing or both of us acting. It's nice to be back."

Frank Pickle is a funny character but seldom has a funny line to say. He's the minute taker at parish vestry meetings and takes everything seriously. He's an anachronism and funny because of that. Letitia, on the other hand, is eccentric and funny in her lines, mannerisms and attitude.

Chris McKenzie is directing the show with a cast comprising veterans and younger, less experienced actors. Chris' wife Jacqui works as stage manager and prompt, among other backstage roles.
"Chris is so talented as an actor and he's going to come through now as a director, so it's exciting to watch that," says Mike.
Mike auditioned for the play, but for any role, not necessarily that of Frank Pickle.
"Then we were contacted and told I'd been given that part. It's the straightest of the roles," he says.

They are getting to know the cast, not having acted with many of them before, although Ian Jones, who plays Jim Trott, is an old friend.
"And it's good having each other there," says Mike. "Letitia can steal the show, if she's not careful. What she wears, the silly expressions, the funny grin and movements, etc."

"For me it's a doddle because it's 12 lines," says Joan. "But it's the sort of play where you can really have fun on stage and play your audience. I'm finding it hard not to laugh at what other people are saying because the play is funny. We are thoroughly enjoying it."

Joan and Mike are both longtime fans of the original TV show and agree that many of the cast in the Amdram production are a good match, physically and vocally.

"Chris and Jacqui are such a lovely couple, and so easy to work with. They are so relaxed," says Mike.
He says when Chris shows someone how a role could be played, he's brilliant. He can play all the play's parts to perfection. "He should be Geraldine, he should be Alice, he should be Frank, he should be everybody, because he does them so well."

The Vicar of Dibley plays at Amdram Theatre, 177 Guyton St from June 20-29.