BBC sitcom dinnerladies to be adapted for the stage – with initial casting confirmed

A brand new stage adaptation of Victoria Wood’s dinnerladies will be touring the UK in 2027.

The production will mark the first piece of Wood’s work to be commissioned by the Victoria Wood estate, and will be presented in association with Phil McIntyre Live and Sustainable Entertainment.

dinnerladies will be adapted for the stage by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, featuring a storyline inspired by episodes from the original TV sitcom, and directed by Sean Foley.

The estate released the following statement: “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 is set to appear as maintenance man Stan, with further casting to be revealed in due course. Dennis commented: “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!”

dinnerladies originally aired between 1998 and 2000, consisting of 16 episodes in total. Winning a British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2000, the sitcom was set in the canteen of fictional Manchester factory HWD Components, and followed the lives, friendships and workplace tribulations of the staff and regulars who gathered there every day.

The stage adaptation will debut at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley (22 and 23 January 2027), before heading to Manchester, Llandudno, Bath, York, Birmingham, Stockton, Milton Keynes, Eastbourne, Blackpool, Cardiff, Hull, Nottingham, Wimbledon, Ipswich, Torquay, Truro, Bournemouth, Northampton, Stoke, Guildford, Canterbury, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Reading, Sheffield, and culminating in Southend (3 to 7 August 2027).