British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
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dinnerladies. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Anne Reid), Stan (Duncan Preston), Brenda (Victoria Wood), Twinkle (Maxine Peake), Dolly (Thelma Barlow), Tony (Andrew Dunn), Anita (Shobna Gulati). Copyright: Good Fun / Pozzitive Productions
dinnerladies

dinnerladies

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1998 - 2000
  • 16 episodes (2 series)

The day-to-day work lives of the kitchen staff in a factory canteen. The staff are managed by Tony who is in love with dinnerlady Bren. Stars Victoria Wood, Thelma Barlow, Andrew Dunn, Shobna Gulati, Celia Imrie and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 4 - Moods

dinnerladies. Image shows from L to R: Connie (Dora Bryan), Brenda (Victoria Wood), Enid (Thora Hird), Jim (Eric Sykes). Copyright: Pozzitive Productions
Twinkle's worried she's pregnant, and everyone else is in a bad mood for their own reasons. Philippa decides the best way of cheering everyone up is to organise a tea party to bring their mothers along for.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 3rd December 1998
Time
9:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Victoria Wood Brenda
Thelma Barlow Dolly
Andrew Dunn Tony
Shobna Gulati Anita
Celia Imrie Philippa Moorcroft
Maxine Peake Twinkle
Duncan Preston Stan
Anne Reid Jean
Julie Walters Petula Gardeno
Sue Devaney Jane
Guest cast
Liz Hume-Dawson Woman in Queue
Jackie Downey Bev
Judy Flynn Secretary
Rachel Gleaves Kirsty
Elspet Gray Hilary
Anthony Renshaw Veg Man
Shireen Shah Reena
Katharine Page Violet
Dora Bryan Connie
Thora Hird (as Dame Thora Hird) Enid
Eric Sykes Jim
Writing team
Victoria Wood Writer
Production team
Geoff Posner Director
Victoria Wood Producer
Geoff Posner Producer
Phil McIntyre (as Philip McIntyre) Executive Producer
David Tyler Executive Producer
Mykola Pawluk Editor

Press

When I had flu in California I was given a vitamin B injection - at least I hope it was - in my bottom. Well, you don't like to argue. Julie Walters has the same effect on dinnerladies (BBC1). Instant invigoration and aching embarrassment.

Nancy Banks-Smith, The Guardian, 4th December 1998

These thoughts came to me last night as I watched Victoria Wood's dire new sitcom Dinnerladies (BBC1), because so much of the language wa sa blatant imitation of Alan Bennett's sublime phrasing.

Victor Lewis-Smith, Evening Standard, 4th December 1998

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