Victoria Wood’s much-loved sitcom Dinnerladies is making a comeback as a touring stage show, more than 25 years after it first aired on TV — though fans appear divided over the revival.
The theatre adaptation, announced on Monday, marks the first new project based on Wood’s work to be approved by her estate since the comedian died in 2016 at the age of 62.
The script has been written by twin sisters Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, while double Olivier Award winner Sean Foley will direct.
The production will open at Manchester’s Opera House on January 26, 2027, before touring venues across England and Wales until August.
Phil McIntyre Live and Sustainable Entertainment are producing the show alongside the Victoria Wood Estate.
A spokesperson for the estate said they hope the production will transport audiences back to the beloved canteen and the characters fans grew to adore.
Reaction online, however, has been mixed.
Some fans were thrilled by the news, with one X user saying they attended recordings of two original episodes and insisting the show is “still funny as hell” no matter how many times they watch it.
Others kept it simple, calling the announcement “Fantastic!”
But not everyone was impressed, with some criticising the lack of Scottish dates on the tour.
“One foot not set in Scotland and they’re calling it a UK tour. Absolute pet hate,” one user wrote.
Another added: “No Scottish dates? Tut.”
Fans have also started guessing who could take on the iconic role of Bren, with names such as Kerry Godliman, Sally Phillips and Barbara Nice being suggested.
Les Dennis has so far been confirmed as the first cast member, playing maintenance man Stan.
The entertainer, also known for his time on Coronation Street, revealed he shared a long personal connection with Wood.
“I’m lucky enough to say I knew Victoria — we both worked the comedy circuit in the 1970s and were finalists on New Faces,” he said.
He added that he had always admired her, both personally and professionally.
Dennis described the stage adaptation as a fitting way to honour Wood’s legacy and said audiences are in for something special once they see Foley’s vision brought to life.
The rest of the cast has yet to be announced.
The original BBC One sitcom ran from 1998 to 2000, spanning 16 episodes across two series. It attracted an average audience of 10 million, with peak viewership reaching 15.3 million.
Set inside the canteen of a fictional Manchester factory, Dinnerladies won Best TV Comedy at the 2000 British Comedy Awards.
In a 2018 documentary about the show, Andrew Dunn praised Wood’s writing, saying it was remarkable how much she managed to fit into every episode.
Co-star Anne Reid also reflected on Wood’s dedication to authenticity, saying she stayed connected to everyday life because that’s where she found inspiration for her characters and stories.
