Victoria Wood’s much-loved sitcom dinnerladies is being adapted for the stage for the very first time, with a major UK tour set for 2027 including London dates and is led by stage and TV favourite Les Dennis as canteen maintenance man Stan.
More than 25 years after it first aired on BBC One, the brand-new stage version marks the first piece of Wood’s work to be commissioned by her estate. Adapted by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and directed by double Olivier Award winner Sean Foley, the production opens at Manchester Opera House in January 2027 before touring nationwide until August, with London dates at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Further casting is to be announced.
A beloved comedy reaches the stage
Originally written by and starring Victoria Wood, dinnerladies aired for two series on BBC One between 1998 and 2000, attracting more than 15 million viewers at its peak and winning the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2000. Set in the canteen of the fictional Manchester factory HWD Components, it followed the lives, friendships and workplace mishaps of the staff and regulars who gathered there each day, becoming one of Britain’s most adored comedies thanks to its sharp humour, warmth and brilliantly observed characters.
The stage adaptation features a story inspired by the original TV series, reuniting audiences with familiar faces including Bren, Tony, Dolly, Jean, Twinkle, Anita and the rest of the canteen crew. Whether revisiting an old favourite or discovering it for the first time, audiences can expect a hilarious night out packed with heart, nostalgia and classic Victoria Wood comedy.
Book your tickets for dinnerladies UK Tour now
Les Dennis leads the cast
Les Dennis takes on the role of maintenance man Stan, with the remaining cast: including the much-loved dinnerladies themselves, to be announced. Dennis spoke warmly of his personal connection to the show’s creator, recalling that he knew Wood from the comedy circuit in the 1970s, when the pair were both finalists on New Faces. “I was always such a fan of her, both as a person and as a comedic voice,” he said. “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.“
The Victoria Wood Estate said it was “delighted to be bringing the joy of Victoria Wood’s much-loved classic dinnerladies back to the nation,” hoping the adaptation would take theatregoers “straight back to the delights of the canteen and characters they grew to love.” Victoria Wood died in 2016 at the age of 62.
About the tour
dinnerladies is produced by the Victoria Wood Estate in association with Phil McIntyre Live and Sustainable Entertainment. Following its Manchester opening, the tour visits venues across the UK throughout 2027, including a London run at the New Wimbledon Theatre, alongside dates in Bath, York, Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and many more, concluding in Southend in August 2027.
Plan your visit to dinnerladies (London)
- London venue: New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, London SW19 1QG
- Tour opens: Manchester Opera House, January 2027
- Tour runs: January – August 2027
- Book tickets for the tour
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