From the motion picture screenplay by William Rose
by special arrangement with Studiocanal
and by special arrangement with Fiery Angel Ltd. London
Criminal mastermind, Professor Marcus, and his gang of oddball villains posing as musicians, meet their match when they take up residence in the top floor room of Mrs Wilberforce’s dilapidated house. A convenient location to plan their heist, they figure their sweet-natured old landlady will be easily hoodwinked. But beneath her demure exterior, Mrs Wilberforce is made of sterner stuff and, with just her parrot, General Gordon, for moral support, she turns the tables on the bogus quintet.
Based on the much-loved Ealing Comedy, this award-winning stage adaptation by Graham Linehan, writer of Father Ted and The IT Crowd, fizzes with fun.
Watch an interview with Director Lee Lyford here
Running Times
Act One: 1 hour 10 minutes
Interval: 20 minutes
Act Two: 50 minutes
Directed by Lee Lyford
Designed by Simon Kenny
Lighting designed by Nick Richings
Sound designed by Adrienne Quartly
Assistant Director Hannah Joss
Matthew Alexander
Constable Macdonald
Paul Mundell
Professor Marcus
Marlene Sidaway
Mrs Wilberforce
‘Director Lee Lyford has magically reworked this story creating an inventive, funny and highly enjoyable production and is blessed with a stellar company of actors to work with.’
British Theatre Guide
‘…a tour-de-force performance from Paul Mundell’ British Theatre Guide
‘This captivating and entertaining show is full of surprises and is a palpable hit.’
Read the full British Theatre Guide review
'...ticks all the boxes' The Stage
Read the full Stage review
‘Little old lady Mrs Wilberforce was played by an excellent Marlene Sidway.’
The Reading Chronicle
‘This show was sheer escapist pleasure, daft and dippy, but fun just to sit back and enjoy.’
The Reading Chronicle
Read the full Reading Chronicle Review
‘Paul Mundell was a tour de force as Marcus…’ Newbury Theatre
‘…the impromptu concert by the gang, watched by the increasingly incredulous old ladies was delightful; well done, ladies.’
Read the full Newbury Theatre review
‘The Watermill brings old favourite The Ladykillers gloriously to life.’
Newbury Weekly News
‘Marlene Sidaway is brilliant as the old dear trying to do her best and the crooks are gloriously brought to life so vividly that you end up liking the ‘vicious’ Louis (John Biddle), young pill-popping Harry (Harry Katsari), the bumbling Major (Dermot Canavan) and the endearing thicko, ex-boxer One-Round (Alan Stocks).’ Newbury Weekly News