Porridge

Porridge live on stage

One of Britain’s greatest sitcoms comes to the stage. The Production Garden presents a brand-new adaptation of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais’ Porridge, adapted and directed by Samuel Freeman, on a UK tour from 9 September to 12 November 2027. It opens at The Rondo Theatre in Bath and ends at BEAM in Hertford.

The story

Join career criminal Fletcher and wide-eyed cellmate Godber as they navigate life inside Her Majesty’s Prison Slade with wit, wisdom and the occasional dodgy scheme. The iconic BBC sitcom is brought to life with perfectly observed characters in some of their most memorable moments, all delivered by a cast of three. As the producers put it, you don’t have to be guilty to enjoy it, but you’ll be laughing like you are.

From the writers

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Lovejoy) have shared a creative partnership across television, film and theatre for more than five decades. “Someone once pointed out that the best comedies thrive in captive situations,” says Clement. “Porridge is the ultimate example, where our characters are literally locked up behind bars. I look forward to seeing our creation in the theatre.”

Adapted and directed by Samuel Freeman

Samuel Freeman is a director, composer and performer and an associate artist of The Production Garden, where his directing includes The Importance of Being Earnest and The Mumford & Sons Story. “Dick and Ian’s script contains so many great moments of this national treasure of a British sitcom, bottled up into one fantastic evening of entertainment,” he says. The tour is presented by Joshua Beaumont and Matthew Emeny for The Production Garden.

2027 tour dates

• 9–11 September 2027: The Rondo Theatre, Bath
• 13–18 September 2027: Salisbury Playhouse
• 21 September 2027: Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight
• 24–25 September 2027: Lighthouse, Poole
• 29 September to 1 October 2027: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
• 2 October 2027: New Theatre, Peterborough
• 4–5 October 2027: Harrogate Theatre
• 6–7 October 2027: Lancaster Grand Theatre
• 8 October 2027: Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes
• 9 October 2027: Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple
• 14 October 2027: The Riverfront, Newport
• 15 October 2027: Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury
• 16 October 2027: Ffwrnes, Llanelli
• 18 October 2027: Regent Theatre, Ipswich
• 19 October 2027: Farnham Maltings
• 20 October 2027: Marina Theatre, Lowestoft
• 22–23 October 2027: Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere
• 25–27 October 2027: The Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield
• 28–30 October 2027: Buxton Opera House
• 1–4 November 2027: Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
• 5–6 November 2027: Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
• 9–10 November 2027: Malvern Theatres
• 12 November 2027: BEAM, Hertford

Cast, times and age guidance

The cast of three is to be announced. Performance times, running time and age guidance are also to be announced; we will update this page when the producers confirm them.