The Other Palace Studio – until 26 October 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
3***
Mimi Nation-Dixon’s debut play is a charming and thoughtful tragicomedy about a young female vicar.
This is a brave choice, as The Vicar of Dibley is ingrained in the psyche of most of the population, but younger audiences coming fresh to the boob obsession, country parishioners love of their animals, and confusion over marriage proposals will find this hilarious. And to be fair, Nation-Dixon puts a playful modern spin on these familiar tropes.
Margot is in her twenties and vicar of an unenthusiastic parish, supported by her frenemy, 83-year-old Susie. Margot’s inner monologues as she conducts her service are very funny as she crushes over newcomer Jonathan. As she talks, another quieter voice whispers to remind her of her faults and weaknesses. Hints and the beginnings of confessions are scattered throughout the hour, explaining Margot’s teenager-like behaviour. Eating disorders, sexual assault and guilt about her sister all swirl around between skits at the pulpit, and the weight of expectation: career, relationship, family – are all clear as Margot struggles to present a happy, reliable persona to the world in the role she seems to have hidden/escaped to. This introspection is the strongest part of Nation-Dixon’s sharp and very funny writing, but a longer show that delivers more on these intriguing events would be much more satisfying. Nation-Dixon’s performance is full of heart and fragility, but Margot’s relationship with God is never really touched upon, making the role of vicar seem just a hook for jokes rather than an integral part of the play.
Sit or Kneel has exciting potential, but needs some work to explore and clarify its themes.