In the sitcom's 50th anniversary year, a new stage version of Open All Hours is to play in September.

Directed and adapted from Roy Clarke's original television scripts by Laura Martin, it is an official production authorised by Clarke and licensed by the BBC, with the blessing of Sir David Jason.

Ray Baker will take on Ronnie Barker's infamous role of shopkeeper Arkwright, whilst David Jason's Granville is to be played by Russell Alder over the course of five nights at the Louth Riverhead Theatre in Louth, Lincolnshire.

Performances will run from 4th - 9th September, with tickets now booking.

Speaking exclusively to British Comedy Guide, Martin explains: "I spent an extraordinary amount of time watching and re watching all 26 original episodes of Open All Hours (four series, aired in 1976, 1981, 1982 and 1985 on the BBC). As a lifelong fan of Ronnie Barker (there's a reason my dog is called Fletcher!) I had, of course, watched the show many times before. But looking at it through a writer/director lens really exposed how brilliantly clever the show is. The comedy is so subtly layered, so nuanced and intricately weaved around a relatively small handful of core characters - it catches you by surprise often with its punches and punchlines!

"It took many months to whittle down this treasure trove of work into a final framework for the show to be staged at Louth Riverhead Theatre. The show is in four acts, each based on a discrete day's happenings in Arkwright's shop, with old familiar story arcs bringing the whole piece together.

"I have also been able to track down one of the exact models of the dreaded till seen on TV, and this will be part of our show. Additionally, I have a 1950s shop bike currently being restored to use on stage as well."

Clarke had full oversight over the script adaptation at every stage, and with rehearsals underway attention will now turn to a meticulous, faithful set build, recreating the 1970s shop seen in the original sitcom.

Martin concludes: "Arkwright's shop is a British comedy institution. Audiences know it and love it, and they won't be forgiving if we don't get it right! Rest assured, our eyes are keenly trained on the detail, just like Arkwright when he's counting his takings!"

The rest of the cast comprises Julia Burnett as Nurse Gladys, Vikki Parker as the Milkwoman, and Amanda Hodges as Mavis, plus Keith Larcombe, Jo Cox, Andy Vallely, Amanda Eastwood and Michael Parker in additional roles.

Only one live version of Open All Hours is known to have been staged in the past, marking the 40th anniversary of the pilot episode (aired 25th March 1973) in 2013. By The Trinity Players, it was an original story, presented without Clarke's involvement.