- New stage show Victoria Wood’s dinnerladies will tour from January to August 2027
- Les Dennis, who will play Stan, says: “I’m so thrilled to be on board”
- The Victoria Wood Estate says: “We are delighted to be bringing the joy of dinnerladies back to the nation after more than 25 years”
A new touring stage adaptation of dinnerladies, the sitcom created by Victoria Wood, is to launch in January.
Endorsed by the late comedy star’s estate, the new show features a storyline inspired by the beloved original TV sitcom episodes and characters. It has been adapted by Roger & Val Have Just Got In writers Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, and is directed by Sean Foley, who has previously worked on stage adaptations of Dr Stangelove and Withnail & I.
The full cast has yet to be announced, but it is known that Les Dennis will be taking on the role of maintenance man Stan.
The blurb says: “More than 25 years after it first aired on BBC One, Victoria Wood‘s much-loved sitcom dinnerladies is heading to the stage, in the first piece of Victoria’s work to be produced by her estate.
“Featuring a story inspired by the original TV series’, the show brings back all the characters audiences know and love from the Manchester canteen.
“Originally written by and starring Victoria Wood, dinnerladies became one of Britain’s most adored comedies thanks to its sharp humour, warmth and brilliantly observed characters.
“Now Stan, Bren, Tony, Dolly, Jean, Twinkle, Anita and the rest of the canteen crew are back for a fresh helping of laughs, chaos and classic Victoria Wood comedy.
“Whether you’re revisiting an old favourite or discovering it for the first time, dinnerladies serves up a hilarious night out packed with heart, nostalgia and plenty of surprises.”
The Victoria Wood Estate says: “We are delighted to be bringing the joy of Victoria Wood‘s much-loved classic dinnerladies back to the nation after more than 25 years. We hope that this new stage adaptation by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, and directed by Sean Foley – featuring a story inspired by the original TV series – will take theatre goers across the UK straight back to the delights of the canteen and characters they grew to love.”
Les Dennis comments: “I’m so thrilled to be on board with this new production of Victoria Wood‘s dinnerladies. I’m lucky enough to say I knew Victoria – she and I performed on the comedy circuit in the 1970s and were both finalists on New Faces. I was always such a fan of her – both as a person, and as a comedic voice. Being part of this tour and seeing these beloved northern working-class characters brought to the stage is a perfect way to keep her legacy alive. I’m the first cast member to be announced as Stan, and I can’t wait to see which fantastic actresses will be bringing these amazing dinnerladies characters to life – they’re all such fantastic roles. I think fans of Victoria will be in for a real treat after hearing director Sean Foley‘s plans for this tour!”
A list of dates is below.
Dates
22nd – 23rd January 2027: Bromley, Churchill Theatre
26th Jan – 6th February 2027: Manchester, Opera House
9th – 13th February 2027: Llandudno, Venue Cymru
16th – 20th February 2027: Bath, Theatre Royal
23rd – 27th February 2027: York, Grand Opera House
2nd – 6th March 2027: Birmingham, Hippodrome
9th – 13th March 2027: Stockton, Globe
16th – 20th March 2027: Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre
23rd – 27th March 2027: Eastbourne, Congress Theatre
31st March – 3rd April 2027: Blackpool, Opera House
6th – 10th April 2027: Cardiff, New Theatre
13th – 17th April 2027: Hull, New Theatre
20th – 24th April 2027: Nottingham, Theatre Royal
27th April – 1st May 2027: Wimbledon, New Theatre
4th – 8th May 2027: Ipswich, Regent Theatre
11th – 15th May 2027: Torquay, Princess Theatre
18th – 22nd May 2027: Truro, Hall for Cornwall
25th – 29th May 2027: Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre
1st – 5th June 2027: Northampton, Royal & Derngate
8th – 12th June 2027: Stoke, Regent Theatre
15th – 19th June 2027: Guildford, G Live
22nd – 26th June 2027: Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre
29th June – 3rd July 2027: Leeds, Grand Theatre
5th July 2027: Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre
13th – 17th July 2027: Liverpool, Empire
20th – 24th July 2027: Reading, Hexagon
27th – 31st July 2027: Sheffield, City Hall
3rd – 7th August 2027: Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
