UK Theatre Network

dinnerladies

UK National Tour

Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre

Take a group of endearing characters, add a stellar cast, liberally sprinkle with Victoria Wood’s humour and you have the perfect recipe for a great evening’s entertainment.

‘Dinnerladies’, the much-loved television sit-com which ran for sixteen episodes over two series’ from 1998 – 2000, has now been lovingly brought to the stage by The Comedy Theatre Company, and is playing at Darlington Civic Theatre all this week.

Starring Shobna Gulati (Anita) and Andrew Dunn (Tony) from the original cast, this production has been adapted from Wood’s original scripts by David Graham. Reviving the timeless and popular comedy classic, it is based on the second TV series and follows the reluctant love story of Tony and Bren (Laura Sheppard).

Set in the canteen of HWD Components, audiences are given the chance to reacquaint themselves with social-climbing Dolly (Liz Bagley), the incorrigible Jean (Stella Ross), sarcastic Twinkle (Emily Butterfield), uptight handyman Stan (Barrie Palmer), dithery Philippa (Louise Dumayne) and the flatulent Petula (Jacqueline Clarke).

The cast consummately handled the unenviable task of recreating and breathing new life into characters made famous by great performers including Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Thelma Barlow and Anne Reid.  Each actor ensures that their performance contains just the right amount of mannerisms to reflect those of the original, without descending into the depths of caricature and mimicry. Not an easy task to accomplish, but they did so with aplomb.

Obviously, Shobna Gulati and Andrew Dunn did not encounter this challenge, as they reprised their original roles. Both received a warm round of applause from the audience upon their stage entrance and neither disappointed with their performances. Shobna is a great actress with impeccable comedy timing (‘Is genitalia that silver stuff that you drape over the Christmas tree?’) and it is amazing how she manages to deliver many of her hilarious lines with sincerity and a straight face. Andrew Dunn instils Tony with that trademark dry humour and can often demonstrate his thoughts or opinions with only a facial expression.

However, ‘Dinnerladies’ is an ensemble piece and it has to be noted that there is not one weak link in this production. Mention must also be made of the amazingly authentic costumes and set.

After enjoying a generous portion of Victoria Wood’s canteen-based comedy, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to return for a second helping!

Steve Burbridge.