The musical will have its only London performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre on the 9th November as well as a second performance at Manchester Opera House.
Production images have now been released for special fundraising concert of Acorn Antiques the Musical, appearing in concert at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London as well as Manchester this month.
These special fundraising concert performances have been directed by Hope Mill’s own Joseph Houston and William Whelton with musical direction and supervision by Nigel Lilley and choreography by Sammy Murray.
Starring in the roles from the Victoria Wood penned sketch and musical will be Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs, Gina Beck as Miss Berta, Anna-Jane Casey as Miss Bonnie, Tony Jayawardena as Mr Clifford, Rob Madge as Derek, Harry Hepple as Tony, May Tether as Mimi, Elliot Broadfoot as Hugh, Grace Mouat as Miss Wellbelove, Sally Bankes as Christine, George Crawford as Minchin’s lad, Laura Medforth as Miss Cuff, Steve Elias as Mr Watkins, Samuel Holmes as Mr Furlong, Daniele Coombe as Miss Willoughby, Bradley Judge as Postie and Althea Burey as Lucy Lollipop. Reprising her role is Ria Jones as Mrs Overall.
Come along to Manchesterford, a place full of quaint, old-fashioned shops such as “Acorn Antiques” run by sisters Miss Babs and Miss Berta. They are assisted by business partner Mr Clifford, elderly tea lady Mrs Overall, and two ‘pitiful adolescents’. But before long their cosy world faces a threat from developers, who want to turn their high street into a collection of coffee bars and sexy underwear shops. As the plot unfolds, Miss Babs and Miss Berta are faced with financial woes and family secrets, including a lost triplet sister. Will the innocent antique dealers fight off the developers and a sinister loan shark? Can they find the missing will of their father? And will Miss Berta ever find true love?
The concert will celebrate 10 years of Hope Mill Theatre, with all box office money going towards their Outreach programme, which includes Hope Mill Theatre School, as well as funding a brand-new community space within Hope Mill.
Acorn Antiques was written by Victoria Wood to form part as a weekly slot in her sketch show, Victoria Wood As Seen on TV. She based it on the long-running serial Crossroads, and radio soap Waggoners Walk. She later created the musical version, directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography by Stephen Mear and opened at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. It went on to be nominated for several Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and winning Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Celia Imrie.
Acorn Antiques the Musical features choreography by Sammy Murray, sound by Matt Peploe, set design by Sophia Pardon, costume design by Lorraine Parry, wigs by Chrissie Baker, lighting by Aaron Dootson, orchestrations by Chris Walker, assistant musical direction by Archie McMorran and artwork by Steph Pyne.
To book tickets click here.