OPEN ALL HOURS
PRODUCTION DATES:
Friday 23rd January to Saturday 31st January 2025
TALK UP:
Friday 31st October 2025 @ 19:30 in the Foyer
AUDITIONS:
Tuesday 4th November 2025 from 19:00.
ABOUT THE PLAY:
Open All Hours is a popular British television sitcom which was created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC. It ran for 26 episodes over four series.
The stage version that we will be performing is an amalgamation of scenes from several episodes across all four series which have been knitted together and reconstructed into four separate episodes: two episodes in act one and a further two episodes in act 2.
The stage play, as with the TV series, centres on Arkwright’s corner shop which is located a Yorkshire town. As with all stage versions of well-known television shows, it’s essential that the characters in the play are recognisable for the audience, so I would recommend that, if you are interested in auditioning for a part, it might be worth watching some old episodes to give you an idea of each character.
That being said, the characters that feature in the play are as follows:
CHARACTERS:
Albert Arkwright
Arkwright is a pragmatic, miserly man with old-fashioned values, whose world seems to stop at his shop door, except for his lusting for Nurse Gladys Emmanuel. He was played by Ronnie Barker in the TV series.
Playing age 50s to 60s
Granville
Granville was born to Arkwright’s sister, who died while Granville was a young child, leaving Arkwright as his sole guardian. Granville’s mundane existence is only brightened up by the milkwoman, the only person other than Arkwright who is awake at the same time as him in the mornings. He was played by David Jason in the TV series.
Playing age 30s
Nurse Gladys Emmanuel
Gladys is a district nurse who lives opposite the shop with her elderly mother. She is informally engaged to Arkwright. Gladys can be short-tempered with Arkwright due to his miserly ways and mistreatment of Granville, but she does show concern for their welfare. She was played by Lynda Baron in the TV series.
Playing age 50s
The Milk Woman
The Milk Woman was never named in the series. She is the ongoing object of Granville’s desire. She was played by Barbara Flynn in the TV series.
Playing age 30s
Mrs Blewett
Mrs Blewett is a somewhat dour woman who raised seven children and is a regular customer in the shop. She was originally played by Kathy Staff (Norah Batty from ”Last of the Summer Wine”).
Playing age 60s to 70s
Mavis
Mavis is unable to make a decision. Known to Arkwright as “wavy Mavis” due to her indecisive nature, it is implied that her marriage is not a happy one. Played by Maggie Ollerenshaw in the TV series.
Playing age 35 – 45
Mrs White
Originally called Mrs Braddock in the TV series and only appeared in one episode. Mrs White is a regular customer in Arkwright’s shop. Mrs Braddock was played by Clare Kelly.
Playing age 60s
Bottle Woman
Has no lines, but makes frequent visits to the shop to exchange empty bottles for money. Playing age 60s – 70s
Cyril
Is an older gentleman who is married and is a regular customer. His part has been combined with “Norman” from the TV series. Played by Tom Mennard.
Playing age 55+
Bert The Breadman
Delivers bread to the shop. This character was played by three different actors in the TV series.
Playing age 40s to 50s
Man
Only appears in one scene. Can be doubled with the Milkwoman’s Fella.
Playing age 40s
Milkwoman’s Fella
Just makes one appearance. Can be doubled with the Man.
Playing age 40s
If you have any questions regarding this production, please don’t hesitate to contact PSCC at psccadmin@littletheatresouthport.co.uk
I hope that there will be lots of interest for this British classic comedy, which I’m sure will be a lot of fun to do!
Looking forward to seeing many of you on Friday 31st October for the talk up!
Elspeth Fisher (Director, Open All Hours)
If you wish to familiarise yourself with the TV series, below is a YouTube playlist with 15 clips:
