NEWS - Full Cast Announced for Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques The Musical This Autumn

Acorn Antiques The Musical: Full Cast Revealed for Hope Mill Theatre Fundraising Concert

Hope Mill Theatre has revealed the full cast for the special fundraising concert of Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques The Musical, set to return this autumn with performances in Manchester and London.

Based on Victoria Wood’s iconic sketch, the musical transports audiences to Manchesterford, a charming town full of quaint, old-fashioned shops—including the legendary Acorn Antiques, run by sisters Miss Babs and Miss Berta. But their cosy world is soon threatened by high street developers, sinister loan sharks, and family secrets, including a lost triplet sister. With laughter, toe-tapping tunes, and plenty of surprises, this musical parody promises “a lovely, happy night in the theatre.”

Performance Dates and Venues

Due to high demand, the concerts will take place at:

• Manchester Opera House: Sunday 2 November 2025 – 7:30pm

• Manchester Opera House: Sunday 16 November 2025 – 5:00pm

• Shaftesbury Theatre, London: Sunday 9 November 2025 – 7:30pm

  
  

All box office proceeds will support Hope Mill Theatre’s Outreach programme, which includes funding the theatre school and a new community space.

Star-Studded Cast

The full cast includes some of the West End and UK’s most celebrated performers:

• Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs (The Witches, Noises Off)

• Gina Beck as Miss Berta (Matilda the Musical, Wicked)

• Anna-Jane Casey as Miss Bonnie (Cabaret, Billy Elliot The Musical)

• Tony Jayawardena as Mr Clifford (Ackley Ridge, Dr. Strangelove)

• Rob Madge as Derek (Cabaret, My Son’s A Queer…)

• Harry Hepple as Tony (Hello Dolly!)

• May Tether as Mimi (Heathers, Gypsy in Concert)

• Elliot Broadfoot as Hugh (Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!)

• Grace Mouat as Miss Wellbelove (Mean Girls, 13 Going on 30 The Musical)

• Ria Jones reprises her role as Mrs Overall (Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy)

  
  

Other cast members include Sally Bankes, George Crawford, Laura Medforth, Steve Elias, Samuel Holmes, Daniele Coombe, Bradley Judge, and Althea Burey.

Creative Team

The concert will be directed by Hope Mill Theatre’s Joseph Houston and William Whelton, with:

• Musical Direction & Supervision: Nigel Lilley

• Choreography: Sammy Murray

• Sound: Matt Peploe

• Set Design: Sophia Pardon

• Costume Design: Lorraine Parry

• Wigs: Chrissie Baker

• Lighting: Aaron Dootson

• Orchestrations: Chris Walker

• Assistant Musical Direction: Archie McMorran

• Artwork: Steph Pyne

  
  

About Acorn Antiques

Originally a weekly sketch in Victoria Wood’s Victoria Wood As Seen on TV, Acorn Antiques lampooned soap operas with their improbable plots, overacting, and wobbly sets. In 2005, Wood adapted it into a full-length musical for the West End, directed by Trevor Nunn, featuring stars such as Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, and Duncan Preston. The show earned multiple Olivier Award nominations and won Best Supporting Actress for Celia Imrie.

This autumn’s concert will use the 2007 touring script, offering audiences a chance to relive the wit, charm, and heart of Wood’s original creation.

Book Tickets

Tickets for Acorn Antiques The Musical start from £35 and are available now.

Don’t miss this chance to see Manchesterford’s favourite antique shop come to life on stage!

Manchester Book Now

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