Croft House Theatre Company will present a hilarious re-imagination of Victoria Wood‘s famous television comedy, Acorn Antiques – The Musical.
Arriving at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre on March 19th – 23rd, a musical version of Victoria Wood‘s famous television comedy follows the lives of sisters Miss Babs and Miss Berta struggling to keep their antiques business open, as shop after shop on the High Street closes. A devious third sister Miss Bonnie plans to sell the shop to ‘The Guilty Bean’; the world’s second biggest chain of coffee shops.
This all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza is lead by Sheffield residents Kate Parkin, Louise Walker and Fiona Hannon; familiar faces of Croft House Theatre Company.
With family secrets, life-changing acting and high-spirited musical numbers, can they still employ Mrs Overall? Will Mr Clifford ever get his memory back, and remember who he’s engaged to? And most worrying of all, will Mrs Overall be able to tap dance whilst holding the tray?
Director Mark Harris, a fan of Victoria Wood‘s writing, is sure that audiences will love the stage version of Acorn Antiques: ”It’s so different from the TV show yet so alike that I find it hard to explain to people how it works. Its characters that we all know and love mixed with songs, new characters and hilarious and witty lyrics written by Victoria herself; it really is as bonkers and hilarious as it sounds.”
The musical also introduces audiences to new characters from the television show including the local shop owners and their wonderful and wild shops, browsers, the streets local gay couple with matching cardigans but also remembers TV shows best and most loved character in Mrs Overall, portrayed originally by Julie Walters and now by Sheffield local Helen Kempton.
Knowing what an iconic piece of writing Mrs Overall is, Helen knew as a big fan of Victoria Wood that she just had to audition: ”I watched Acorn Antiques for years. I remember being amazed at how Julie Walters had me in fits of laugher just by walking into a scene on TV. When Croft announced they were performing Acorn Antiques, the opportunity to play such an icon giant of British comedy came along I just couldn’t say no. I’m still as shocked today as I was back in September when I first got the part; it really is a dream come true.”
However, the added pressure of playing such an icon part hasn’t got Helen beat just yet: ”Knowing that I will be performing a role that anyone that comes to see Acorn Antiques knows so well is nerving but also excited. Its not often you get to plan a part written by Victoria Wood, played originally by Julie Walters and on the Lyceum Theatre stage. March 19th will be a very special day for me.”
The show received critical acclaim during its run at the Haymarket Theatre in London and now this legendary local amateur theatre company have the opportunity to show the city the very best of its local talent.
With wonky sets, missed cue’s and hilarious mistakes, can the sisters prevent their new sibling from closing the family business and opening a new chain of coffee shops in its place, will Miss Berta help Clifford remember any of his past and will Mrs O. make it on stage on time and maybe with a cheeky macaroon or two?
Join this incredibly talented cast on March 19th-23rd onwards for an evening of pure hilarious delights.
Acorn Antiques is presented by Croft House Theatre Company, Directed by Mark Harris, and Choreographed by Sally Wragg with Musical Direction by Andy Booth.
Tickets available on 0114 249 6000 or online at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
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