Full casting has been announced for the brand-new stage adaptation of the iconic Victoria Wood sitcom dinnerladies, that’s heading to York next year.
Joining the previously announced Les Dennis as dependable maintenance man Stan, are TV favourites Sue Cleaver (Coronation Street) as sarcastic Jean and Karen Henthorn (* Eastenders*) as sharp-tongued Dolly.
Amy Drake (Brassic, Alma’s Not Normal) will be filling the iconic role Victoria Wood embodied as kind-hearted deputy canteen manager Bren.
Joining them are the beloved characters audiences will know and love including cynical young Twinkle, played by Gemma Dobson (A Taste of Honey; Rita, Sue and Bob Too) and her endearingly naïve co-worker Anita, played by Faye Weerasinghe (* Spitting Image The Musical*).
Mild-mannered Canteen Manager Tony is Jimmy Fairhurst (Doctors, Emmerdale), while Petula, Bren’s chaotic mother, is portrayed by Josie Brightwell (* Fawlty Towers – The Play*). Lovable canteen regular Jane is played by Rachel Marwood (* Waterloo Road*), and portraying scatterbrained Human Resources manager Philippa is portrayed by Rachel Pickup (HBO’s* The Gilded Age*).
Completing the ensemble is Sarah Dearlove, Alex Frost, Matthew Gordon, Angela Heenan and Tyne Pearson.
The production will play at Grand Opera House York from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 February 2027.
The new show has a storyline drawn directly from the treasured original BBC sitcom featuring Victoria Wood’s inimitable dialogue.
Speaking on joining the production, Sue Cleaver said: “I am beyond thrilled to be joining the cast of dinnerladies on tour: I was honoured to have a regular role on the show itself and to work alongside the legendary Victoria Wood many moons ago so it’s an absolute joy to be returning to play such a fantastic character as feisty Jean!
“I cannot wait to get out on the road and whip up a storm in the kitchen alongside such a stellar cast.”
Karen Henthorn said: “This is a proper dream come true for me. I used to love watching dinnerladies as it was such a hilarious and heartwarming sitcom so I cannot wait to bring the snooty snipes from Dolly to life on stage and hear audiences laughing up and down the country.”
dinnerladies has been adapted by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and directed by double Olivier-award winner Sean Foley.
Originally created, written and starring comedy legend Victoria Wood, dinnerladies ran for two acclaimed series and 16 episodes between 1998 and 2000, winning widespread critical plaudits and a devoted audience for its warmth, wit and brilliantly observed characters.
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 dramas of the staff and regulars who gathered there every day.
Now, audiences will once again be reunited with the unforgettable world of dinnerladies, and the affectionate portrayal of everyday working British life.
Tickets start from £22 and are available via the Grand Opera House York website.