''Grumpy Old Women Live'' is a stage show based on the BBC television series '' Grumpy Old Women''.

History

Inception

The idea of a live show of '' Grumpy Old Women'', which had already been successful on the television, came about in Spring 2005 to producer Judith Holder and Grumpy contributor Jenny Eclair, and co-written by the two. Then cast the show, and rehearsals began for a mini-tour in the Autumn of 2005. The original production was directed by Chris George, and mini-tour of seven dates set off in November 2005 and was a success.

National and international tours

In the Spring of 2006 the original cast, Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane and Linda Robson set off on a 40 date sell out national tour. Following this, they went straight into a four-week West End run at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave. For the Autumn tour two brand new members were recruited, Rhona Cameron and Annette Badland. Together with Jenny Éclair they ventured off on another sell out national tour. In Spring 2007, Jenny Éclair went with Linda Robson and Dillie Keane to Australia on the first international tour of Grumpy Old Women. A success in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth proved beyond any doubt that the Grumpy Old Woman is a global phenomenon. As stated in the official website, "from Cardiff to Canberra, women of a certain age could finally unite behind a common fear of graying hairs and sagging rears. Around the world it was suddenly ok to celebrate the cellulite. This again made the Grumpies very happy. We came, we grumbled, we conquered." Two years after the first mini-tour, two new members were recruited, Denise Black and Britt Ekland. Along with Dillie, the three went on nationwide complain-a-thon. The show toured regional New Zealand in March 2010, directed by

David McPhail David Alexander McPhail (11 April 1945 – 14 May 2021) was a New Zealand comedic actor and writer whose television career spanned four decades. McPhail first won fame on sketch comedy show ''A Week of It'', partly thanks to his impressions of ...

, starring

Geraldine Brophy Geraldine Brophy (born 1961) is a New Zealand television, film and stage actress, theatre director and playwright. Biography Brophy was born in Birmingham, England to Irish parents. She and her family emigrated to New Zealand in 1972, when she ...

, Pinky Agnew, and Lyndee-Jane Rutherford. On 23 June 2008 the original cast ( Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane and Linda Robson) reunited for one night only at the Richmond Theatre; the performances (a matinee and an evening) were filmed for DVD.

Subsequent shows

It was announced in March 2009 that brand new show ''Grumpy Old Women Live 2: Chin Up Britain'' would see Susie Blake (''Coronation Street'', ''The Victoria Wood Show'') and Wendi Peters (''Coronation Street'', ''Bad Girls'') star alongside original Grump Jenny Eclair, who is also co-writing with

Judith Holder Northern Upstart Ltd is a UK independent media production company based in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2009 by Judith Holder and Mark Murray. Holder started her career at London Weekend Television producing Clive James ...

. The show transferred to the Novello Theatre, London for an 8-week run from 14 April–5 June 2010. The 2014/2015 show was ''Fifty Shades of Beige''. The 2018 tour is ''Grumpy Old Women to the rescue'' and stars the original Jenny Eclair and Dillie Keane with newcomer comedian Lizzie Roper.

Previous & Current Members

*Current (2018 Tour) ** Jenny Eclair ** Dillie Keane ** Lizzie Roper *Previous ** Annette Badland ** Denise Black ** Britt Ekland ** Rhona Cameron ** Linda Robson ** Wendi Peters ** Susie Blake ** Kate Robbins

Reception

''Grumpy Old Women'' was a commercial and critical hit.

References

{{reflist

External links

Official WebsiteBBC ArticleWarwick Centre ArticleThis Is York Press Article
2005 plays British comedy troupes