Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical Returns in Style

November 8, 2025

Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical Returns in Style

Updated: 08-11-25

The kettle’s on in Manchesterford again, as Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical takes to the stage for a special fundraising concert celebrating ten years of Hope Mill Theatre.

Following its critically acclaimed opening in Manchester last week, Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical in Concert arrives at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre this Sunday (9 November), before heading back to the Manchester Opera House for one final hometown performance on 16 November.

Acorn Antiques Company – Credit Grant Archer

George Crawford as Minchin’s lad and Anna-Jane Casey ad Miss Bonnie in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs and Ria Jones as Mrs Overall in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs, Anna-Jane Casey as Miss Bonnie and Gina Beck as Miss Berta and Tony Jayawardena as Mr Clifford in Acorn Antiques – Credit

The special fundraising concert celebrates ten years of Hope Mill Theatre with a star-studded cast, a heart full of nostalgia, and a generous helping of macaroons.

Leading the company are Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs, Gina Beck as Miss Berta and Anna-Jane Casey as Miss Bonnie. They’re joined by Tony Jayawardena, Rob Madge, Harry Hepple, May Tether, Elliot Broadfoot, Grace Mouat, Sally Bankes, George Crawford, Laura Medforth, Steve Elias, Samuel Holmes, Daniele Coombe, Bradley Judge, and Althea Burey — with Ria Jones reprising her unforgettable role as Mrs Overall.

Directed by Joseph Houston and William Whelton, with musical supervision by Nigel Lilley, the concert reimagines Victoria Wood’s beloved parody for a new generation. Set in the chaotic world of Manchesterford’s most dramatic antiques shop, the show promises romance, family secrets, and one very well-timed tray of macaroons.

Bradley Judge as Postie , Anna-Jane Casey as Miss Bonnie and Geroge Crawford as Minchin’s lad in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

Sam Holmes as Mr Furlong and Sally Bankes as Christine in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

Ria Jones as Mrs Overall in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

May Tether as Mimi and Harry Hepple as Tony in Acorn Antiques – Credit Grant Archer

Originally created by Wood as a recurring sketch in Victoria Wood As Seen on TV, Acorn Antiques became a full-scale musical in 2005, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, and Duncan Preston, earning multiple Olivier Award nominations and a win for Imrie.

This new concert is more than a celebration — it’s a fundraiser for Hope Mill Theatre’s Outreach Programme, supporting theatre education and the creation of a new community space in Manchester.

After rave reviews and standing ovations in Manchester, all eyes are now on the West End for this week’s glittering London gala before the residents of Manchesterford return home for their final bow.

Get tickets from the official site HERE for Manchester and HERE for London.