Porridge goes on stage
Updated on 28 August 2009
The classic claustrophic comedy Porridge makes it's stage debut with Extras actor Shaun Williamson in the lead role of Fletcher. Kamali Melbourne reports.
Writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais have been living in Hollywood in recent years, writing film scripts and polishing screenplays for other people but they accepted an offer from English producer Ed O'Driscoll to turn their television prison sitcom into a play.
All three men have experience in turning television gems into stage productions, O'Driscoll has worked on an adaptation of Dad's Army while Clement and La Frenais recently created a stage version of The Likely Lads.
They are all aware they run the risk of upsetting fans of the original series.
La Frenais said: "I think the people who have the real burden of expectation are the actors. "It would be great for people to come out and say 'that was a great night in theatre, it reminded us how much we liked Porridge but it made us realise how much we enjoyed the play."
They have not strayed far from the original Porridge scripts because the centres on Fletcher teaching his young cell mate about life in prison.
O'Driscoll said: "Somebody said 'you are playing with the crown jewels of comedy, be careful how you tread' and it's very true.
"You have to be very careful, very true to the originals. These are real gems."
Interview: Shaun Williamson
The star of the show, Shaun Williamson, talked to Kamali Melbourne about his role:
"It was always a bit worrying trying to fill Ronnie Barker's boots. They're very big boots to fill and I mean that talent-wise.
"But if you worried about that sort of thing you just wouldn't get out of bed. It was such an honour to be asked. But it's always a problem as to how far you go with an impersonation."
