Comedy duo Miles Jupp and Justin Edwards will continue their comedy caper in 2023! The critically acclaimed world premiere stage adaptation of the classic Ealing Comedy, The Lavender Hill Mob (‘the greatest British film of all time’ – the BFI) will kick off the 2023 leg of its UK tour at the Chichester Festival Theatre on 10 January, before visiting Cambridge, Guildford, Glasgow, Bath and Truro.
Based on the screenplay by T.E.B. Clarke, adapted for the stage by Olivier-nominated playwright Phil Porter and directed by Tony and Olivier-nominated Jeremy Sams, this “top-notch, classic British comedy” (Whatsonstage) tells the story of Henry Holland, an unassuming bank clerk who dreams of stealing the van full of gold bullion he drives across London each day. When Henry learns that his new lodger makes Eiffel Tower paperweights out of lead, he devises a plan to make his dream a reality. It’s a golden opportunity to pull off the crime of the century, they’d have to be fools to mess it up …
“A thoroughly silly caper. Makes me feel proud to be British.” – British Theatre Guide
Featuring “performances to savour” (The Times) by acclaimed comic actors and ‘jolly and talented leads‘ (Mail Online) Miles Jupp (A Very British Scandal, Mock The Week, and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans) as ‘Holland’, and Justin Edwards (The Thick of It, 1917 and The Ferryman) as ‘Pendlebury’, The Lavender Hill Mob also stars Guy Burgess as ‘Farrow’, Tessa Churchard as ‘Lady Agnes’, John Dougall as ‘Sir Horace’, Tim Sutton as ‘Sammy’, Victoria Blunt as ‘Audrey’, Aamira Challenger as ‘Fernanda’, with Steven Rostance, Sharon Adugna and Phil Wilcocks completing the company.
“The best form of escapism, a play with heart, humour and soul” – Reviews Hub
The much-loved film was released in 1951, directed by Charles Crichton, and starring Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway and Sid James, as well as Audrey Hepburn in one of her earliest screen appearances. It was ranked by the BFI as one of the greatest British Films of all time and was restored and re-released in UK cinemas in 2011 for its sixtieth anniversary.
“Free-wheeling, funny and fast-paced…it would be a crime to miss it!” – Stage Talk
The Lavender Hill Mob is directed by Jeremy Sams; with design by Francis O’Connor and with Louise Shephard as associate director. Illusions and Music is by Tim Sutton; and Ginny Schiller CDG is casting director. It is produced by Patrick Myles, David Luff and Act Productions, Alexander “Sandy” Marshall in association with Tulchin Bartner Productions and Weird Sisters Productions.
“Full of fun, with an ingenious set design…and a nimble, versatile ensemble” – The Stage
Who Is Andrew “The Guvnor” of Theatre Village?
(As delivered by Grace Hatchell, 2nd Act Couriers, First Class & Slightly Nosy Service)
Now then… if you’ve spent any time wandering through Theatre Village, you’ll have felt it. That hum. That buzz. That sense that somewhere, behind the curtain, someone’s pulling the strings, brewing the tea, and making sure the spotlight actually turns on.
That, my lovely lot, would be Andrew.
Or as I’ve taken to calling him… The Guvnor.
Not in a scary, “don’t cross him” sort of way—no, no. More in a “quietly building an empire while everyone else is still reading the programme” kind of way.
I’ve seen him, you know. Not always in plain sight—he’s not one for centre stage—but always there. Watching. Tweaking. Thinking. Probably got about ten ideas bubbling away at once, and another five already halfway out the door.
Theatre Village didn’t just appear overnight, you see. It’s been stitched together bit by bit, like one of those proper handmade costumes—threaded with passion, a bit of cheek, and a genuine love for the stage. Not the flashy, red carpet side of theatre… but the real stuff. The fringe. The underdogs. The ones pouring their hearts out in tiny venues with dodgy lighting and big dreams.
That’s where Andrew’s eye is.
He’s got a knack for spotting something special before the crowd catches on. A show tucked away upstairs. A performer giving it everything. A story that deserves to be heard. And instead of just nodding along like the rest of us, he builds a whole blooming platform for it.
And let me tell you—this village? It’s not just for show. It’s growing. Expanding. Streets being built, doors opening, new voices moving in. He’s not just writing about theatre… he’s creating a place for it to live.
Bit clever, that.
Now, he won’t say it himself—far too modest—but there’s graft behind it. Late nights. Early mornings. Probably a fair few “what am I doing?” moments along the way (haven’t we all, eh?). But he keeps going. Keeps building. Keeps believing there’s room for more stories, more voices, more magic.
And I like that.
Because in a world where it’s easy to shout about the biggest shows with the biggest budgets, Andrew’s quietly making sure the smaller ones don’t get lost in the post.
(And trust me, as a postwoman, I take that very seriously.)
So if you ever find yourself wandering through Theatre Village, just remember—you might not see him straight away… but The Guvnor’s there. Somewhere between the lines, behind the scenes, keeping the whole place ticking along nicely.
And if you listen carefully… you might just hear the next big idea being scribbled down.
Now then—
I’ve got letters to deliver, gossip to gather, and probably a biscuit waiting for me somewhere.
See you round the Village.
— Grace
