Dinnerladies (Tour - Sunderland)

Dinnerladies is basically the hit Victoria Wood TV series, adapted by David Graham (which still regularly plays on satellite channels) transferred to the stage. All the action still takes place in the canteen of HWD Components with all the regular characters, Dolly, Jean, Anita, Twinkle and Stan being present.

Two regular faces from the TV version (Andrew Dunn as Tony and Sue Devaney as Jane) join a cast who have perfected the voices and mannerisms of their TV counterparts. Devaney even doubles up as Petula (Bren’s Mother) immortalised in the TV series by Julie Walters.

Interestingly, Jean is brought to life on stage by opera singer Margaret Preece, who recently played Mother Abbess in the Sound of Music at the London Palladium and on tour.

The story adapted from several TV scripts, is the second stage version of the TV show and has the usual Bren and Tony “will they or won’t they” love interest at the centre, while around them Bren’s Mother is causing chaos and the factory is closing down. In to the mix Tony and Jean manage to find they have quite a bit in common and a baby is found on the fire escape.

This show will not disappoint those loyal to the TV series as Woods humour still shines through by adapting the original TV scripts.

- by John Dixon