Fourteen Again Celebrates Victoria Wood with New Musical Premiere

20-04-26

A new musical featuring the work of Victoria Wood is set to premiere at the newly renamed The Victoria Wood Theatre this spring.

Fourteen Again, with music and lyrics by Wood, will run from 1 May to 6 June 2026, with a press night on 7 May.

The production follows the recent renaming of the venue, formerly The Old Laundry Theatre, in honour of Wood and her long-standing connection to the Lake District and the theatre itself. The change reflects her legacy and continued influence on British comedy and musical theatre.

The musical features a book by Tom MacRae (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) and stars Ria Jones and Sally Ann Triplett as Lou and Peggy, childhood friends reunited later in life.

The story begins at a slimming club, where the pair reconnect for the first time since their teenage years. As they reflect on their shared past, the narrative moves between present day and memory, revisiting moments of friendship, change and missed opportunities. Peggy’s wish to return to being fourteen becomes a central device, transporting her back to her teenage bedroom and the world she once knew.

The production includes a number of songs written by Victoria Wood, including Regeneration and Fourteen Again, which feature in the first act. These songs form the backbone of the musical, placing Wood’s writing at the centre of a new theatrical narrative.

The show is produced by Charlotte Scott and Roger Glossop MBE, who own the theatre, and brings together a creative team with strong links to Wood’s work. Many involved in the production have previously collaborated with her, adding further connection between the material and its staging.

The musical also reflects Wood’s personal ties to the venue, with The Old Laundry Theatre having played a role in her creative life. Its transformation into The Victoria Wood Theatre marks a continuation of that relationship, now formalised in her name.

Victoria Wood remains one of the UK’s most recognisable and influential creative voices, known for her distinctive blend of comedy, music and character-led storytelling. Fourteen Again draws directly from that legacy, presenting her songs within a new story for contemporary audiences.

The production runs for a limited season in Bowness-on-Windermere, with tickets now on sale.

Visit the official site HERE