Porridge on Stage

The classic Seventies prison sitcom Porridge is to be given the West End treatment.

Starring the late comedy legend Ronnie Barker, Porridge revolved around the lives of a group of inmates at the fictional Slade Prison. Also featuring Kate Beckinsale's father, Richard, the programme has remained popular with audiences around the world. The new show, aiming to recapture the magic of the sitcom, is written by the original partnership of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais

Shaun Williamson, famous for playing Barry in EastEnders and for showing remarkable good humour in Ricky Gervais's Extras, will take on the part of Norman Stanley Fletcher. Speaking to The Stage, Williamson said: “I am both terrified and excited. This part sums up the reason why I got into acting”.

Due to be staged this autumn, the show comes from the writing team behind other television classics such as The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. In 2008, the pair wrote the screenplay for The Bank Job starring Jason Statham and David Suchet.

Planned to tour UK theatres, the producers behind the stage production of Porridge will announce the full cast and tour dates shortly.

Until Porridge is served at a theatre near you, get your dramatic fix from Show and Stay, take a look at our great selection of plays, operas, ballets and musicals.

Published by: Jonathan Dudley