Review: Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques The Musical, at the Opera House, Manchester

One of the most anticipated productions of the year for me (well, last 6 months at least), was the latest concert production from the Hope Mill. Following on from NINE earlier this year, and Gypsy last year, there was only one show, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Hope Mill, that founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton wanted to do. 

And as a bonus, it pays tribute to one of Greater Manchester's true gems: Victoria Wood

Welcome to Manchesterford, to quote the programme "a world of big pants and baggy faces, where Jazz is trad, the floors are clean and the table mats are melamene". 

The kind of town you know, that maybe you live on, or that your Grandma lives on, full of people living simple lives and local shops; as well as the home of Acorn Antiques. 

But this quaint high street is under threat by big global brands wanting to take over every high street (sounds familiar). How will Acorn Antiques fight back?

Rehearsed in only 9 days, this marks the first professional production of Acorn Antiques since the UK Tour way back in 2006 - almost 20 years ago. And so this concert production will be (for myself included), their first time seeing the show, whether or not they have seen the classic Victoria Wood sitcom of the same name that it was based on. 

What was only meant to be a one night only concert, turned into extra nights, one more in Manchester next week, and tonight at London Shaftesbury Theatre. Both almost entirely sold out. 

I hope Victoria was laughing in heaven, because the comedy from every level made Acorn Antiques so funny I nearly peed 

From the writing, to the performers delivering these lines to a straight face with perfect timing, it was very hard not to. 

Acorn Antiques is the essence of classic British sitcom, with a touch of panto-esque fourth wall breaking, and parodying musical theatre right from the get go. This is literally by the way, from the opening notes of Manchesterford, a version of Chicago's All That Jazz featuring rubber gloves and plenty of laughs that act as only the canapé to the full course. 

And now can we get into the comic geniuses that have been cast in this?

Leading this talented company are Gina Beck (South Pacific) and Olivier nominee Katherine Kingsley as sisters Miss Bertha and Miss Babs, head to toe in classic tweed, and who couldn't be more opposite (apart from the shared goal of saving Acorn Antiques). Kingsley's Miss Babs is prim, proper and determined; although, to borrow a quote from Legally Blonde "...each time [a man] walks through the door, [her] IQ goes down to 40. Maybe less". Beck's character is the essence of sugary tea and biscuits, sweet and naive. Her natural soprano fitted the role well and it was nice to see her play someone more comical and silly (which is rarer for a soprano than you'd think). 

In terms of excellent supporting players, there were more treats than a tub of Quality Street: from Anna Jane Casey (Mother Goose) as third sister Miss Bonnie, to Rob Madge (My Son's A Queer), Samuel Holmes (Calamity Jane), May Tether and Elliot Broadfoot (Kathy & Stella) to name just a few. 

But just as she is the heart of Acorn Antiques the shop, Mrs Overall is the heart of Acorn Antiques the show

Mrs O is the kooky housekeeper, played by Ria Jones, returning to the role after she played the same part in the UK Tour. And a good reason why my bladder did not have much self control was down to her. I have only heard her play big serious roles, from Gypsy's Rose, to Sunset Boulevard's Norma Desmond; but let me tell you that Jones was absolutely hysterical, having the audience eat the Macaroons right out of her hands. She alone was worth the ticket price. 

Acorn Antiques was full of fun, camp, joy, full of British humour. It truly felt like a Saturday night sitcom come to life from back in the day, not just reminding me of Wood herself, but French & Saunders, or my personal favourite from my childhood, Last of the Summer Wine. If you are going down to the Shaftesbury tonight, enjoy. If you are able to get tickets to the final date back in Manchester next week, then I cannot recommend grabbing a ticket enough. Acorn Antiques is a bit of escapism, a silly little saucer of classic British comedy.