Dinnerladies

Synopsis

Comedy legend Victoria Wood brings her immensely popular BBC TV sitcom Dinnerladies to the stage for a world premiere tour. Blend in some of the funniest writing on television, whip in a play based on a storyline of the second series following the reluctant love story of Bren and Tony, egged on by Dolly, Jean, Twinkle and Anita. Then mix in caretaker Stan’s words of wisdom and coat with regular appearances by Philippa from Human Resources and Petula, Bren’s dreadful mother - and you have a recipe for madness, mirth and twelve rounds of toast!

Our Review:

Glenn Meads - 8 September 2009

Sitcom to stage adaptations are all the rage, with Dad’s Army proving to be a great success, Porridge currently doing time all over the UK and Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies providing audiences with a fix of the classic canteen-set comedy.

Cynics may argue theatre adds nothing to the genre, and it's true, it does feel like you are watching the show being recorded, but when the script is as polished and funny as Wood’s, you are willing to forgive the fact you could just stay at home and watch the dvd, instead.

Some of the original stars are back, including Andrew Dunn as stoic boss and wannabe love interest of Bren, Tony;  the superb Shobna Gulati as dopey, yet lovable Anita and zany Sue Devaney’s toast loving, fast talker, Jane. This trio seem to relish returning to these roles and because you are now spending ...

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Latest User Review

Michael Gray - 5 October 2009:

Imagine getting the part of Richard III, and then having to do it just like Olivier. That's how it must be for the cast of Dinnerladies, a national tour which looked in at the Civic Chelmsford on its way from Salford to Bournemouth. A mash-up of several episodes of the Victoria Wood sitcom, it transferred very well to the stage, thanks to a talented cast who not only managed to embody the original characters but also delivered the lines with perfect comic timing. Delightfully dotty dialogue, harmless innuendo and simple plot lines kept the audience in stitches: Marbella was a leitmotiv, there was a lovely riff on funeral poetry, and umpteen references to body parts and private functions. Krupa Pattani, new to the role of Anita on this opening night, was superb – a lovely dim-witted innocent – and she got some of the best laughs of the evening. Laura Sheppard was uncannily good in the role created by Wood, and Jacqueline Clarke was excellent as her mad mother, the lady in the van. Peter Brad-Leigh made the most of his minor part as frustrated diner Bob. Two survivors off the telly – Sue Devaney, hilarious as Jane from planning, and Andrew Dunn as Catering Manager and love interest Tony Martin. ...

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