ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL returns to the stage for one night only

From the genius of Victoria Wood and based on the iconic sketch from her show Victoria Wood As Seen On TV, Hope Mill Theatre has announced that ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL will return to the stage for one night only at Manchester Opera House on 2 November for a special fundraising concert.

Directed by Hope Mill’s own Joseph Houston and William Whelton, the concert will feature musical direction and supervision by Nigel Lilley, and choreography by Sammy Murray.

A star cast will be announced soon.

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?

This laugh out loud musical parody will be sure to have you rolling in the aisles and toe tapping along…so grab yourself a macaroon and don’t miss this special one-off performance.

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.

Artistic Director of Hope Mill Theatre, Joseph Houston, said: “In celebration of our 10th Anniversary and after the success of our previous concert staging’s, Gypsy and NINE, we are thrilled to be bringing ACORN ANTIQUES back to the stage and to its rightful home of Manchester! 20 years ago, ACORN ANTIQUES opened in the West End, starring many of the original cast members, including Julie Walters, Celia Imrie and Victoria Wood herself. In 2007 the show embarked on a tour of the UK with a revised version of the script, directed by Victoria Wood, and it is this version that we are honoured to be bringing back to audiences. Featuring much loved musical numbers including ‘Macaroons’ and ‘Tip Top Tap’ and set against the backdrop of Manchesterford, inside the iconic Acorn Antiques shop, this is a hilarious musical extravaganza and myself and Will are so honoured to be working on it alongside the Victoria Wood Estate.”

Tickets for ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL will go on sale from 10am on Tuesday (6 May) here.