Theatre | UK tour, January – August 2027
Victoria Wood’s much-loved sitcom dinnerladies is coming to the stage for the very first time, and the main cast has now been announced. Sue Cleaver and Karen Henthorn join Les Dennis on a UK tour next year. Here are five things to know.
1. Back in the canteen at HWD Components
More than 25 years after it first aired on BBC One, the stage show reunites audiences with Bren, Tony, Dolly, Anita, Jean, Twinkle and Philippa in the bustling canteen of a Manchester factory. The story is new, but inspired by the original episodes, which won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2000.
2. A cast of soap favourites
Les Dennis plays maintenance man Stan. Sue Cleaver, Eileen in Coronation Street for over 20 years, plays Jean, and Karen Henthorn (EastEnders) plays Dolly. Amy Drake makes her name as Bren, the role Victoria Wood played herself.
3. Approved by Victoria Wood’s Estate
This is the first piece of Victoria Wood’s work to be commissioned by her Estate. It’s adapted by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and directed by double Olivier Award winner Sean Foley, so fans can expect it to stay true to Wood’s warm, witty spirit.
4. Dates near London and Surrey
The tour opens at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley (22 – 23 January), plays New Wimbledon Theatre (27 April – 1 May) and visits G Live in Guildford (15 – 19 June). It also stops in Manchester, Milton Keynes, Bath, Cardiff, Liverpool, Reading and many more, finishing in August.
5. A perfect gift for fans
With tickets already on sale, a night at dinnerladies would make a great Christmas present for anyone who grew up with the show. As Les Dennis says, it’s a perfect way to keep Victoria Wood’s legacy alive.