"LAUGHTER and poignant moments" are promised as Waiting for God takes centre stage at Keighley Playhouse.

The Devonshire Street theatre says it's "thrilled" to be bringing the production, directed by Debbie Ellison and Charlotte Revill, to town audiences.

Performances will take place from Monday, January 22, until Saturday, January 27.

A playhouse spokesperson says: "This theatrical delight – written by Michael Aitkens – promises to transport audiences to the uproarious world of Bayview Retirement Village, where beloved characters from the original TV series face the challenges of growing old disgracefully in the era of the silver surfer.

"All the favourite characters from the TV programme are reimagined. Battle-axe extraordinaire Diana Trent – played by June Driver – conspires with new resident Tom Ballard (Bernard Stern) to make life as difficult as possible for Bayview Retirement Home manager Harvey Baines (Josh Breeze). Harvey is really only interested in making a profit from Bayview.

"Assistant manager Jane (Rachael Collins) still twitters around, loyally supporting Harvey and secretly hoping for love. Tom’s son Geoffrey (Phill Smith) tries to find some meaning in a rather unsatisfactory marriage, and Diana’s niece Sarah (Stephanie Laycock) has some interesting news for Diana.

"Maurice Claypole as the Rev Dennis Sparrow and Bernardine Maloney as Dr Jenny Henry round out the cast.

"Together they embark on a side-splitting conspiracy to outsmart the conniving retirement village manager, delivering performances that promise both laughter and poignant moments.

"As with all TV series brought to the stage, the challenge has been to balance casting players who look at least a bit like the originals with allowing the delightful comedy of the script and characters as written to shine through. The cast and directors have had lots of fun with this and we think people will agree that we haven't let down author Michael Aitkens in this task.

"Keighley Playhouse invites everyone to reconnect with these characters and cheer them on anew.

"Those unfamiliar with the series will enjoy British comedy at its best; feisty, real characters facing real situations and preconceptions, battles with 'the establishment' and petty rules, and maybe a happy ending?

"Witness the magic of Waiting for God as Debbie Ellison and Charlotte Revill bring their directorial prowess to this beloved classic."

Tickets are available from the Keighley Playhouse box office on 07599 890769, or online from Ticket Source at ticketsource.co.uk/keighley-playhouse where there is also further information about the theatre.