Legendary actor David Jason has given his backing to a stage adaptation of his hit comedy Open All Hours at the Lichfield Garrick.

The new show features classic moments from over 20 episodes.

Gary Simmons as Arkwright, Jon Hall as Granville and Mary Singh as Nurse Gladys
Gary Simmons as Arkwright, Jon Hall as Granville and Mary Singh as Nurse Gladys

David Jason, who starred as shop boy Granville in the original TV series, said it was “a terrific 40th anniversary celebration of a memorable television show”.

The new stage version from Sutton Coldfield duo Jane Aston and Gary Simmons began touring in February with the blessing of original writer Roy Clarke.

“We’re delighted it’s going so well,” said director Jane. “We’re such big fans of the show.

“It’s such a fabulous comedy and Arkwright is such a brilliant character. He encompasses so many people you used to meet in times gone by. He’s a miser, he’s a letch, he’s forever tormenting poor Gladys, but his heart’s in the right place.”

Jane and Gary, who plays Arkwright, spent 12 months scouring the country to track down the original props used in the show.

“One of the tills they used, we found in Reading but it didn’t work so we had to find someone capable of fixing it,” explained Jane.

“The bike we found in Clacton – it had been up in someone’s attic. We tracked down the scales to Manchester, and we even managed to get the lifesize cardboard cut out ‘Kodak girl’ back from America.

“The attention to detail has been painstaking but it’s such an iconic show you can’t tinker with it. We wrote our own script, got a tour license, built our own set – we’ve really taken the bull by the horns.”

The UK stage tour of Open All Hours visits Lichfield Garrick Theatre on September 20 and 21. For tickets contact the box office on 01543 412121 or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.