Waiting for God

29th October - 1st November 2025
Ballard School

story by:

Michael Aitkins

directed by:

Len Reid

What's it about?

All the favourite characters from the British sitcom aired on BBC1 from 1990 to 1994 are reimagined for this play.
Retired photojournalist Diana Trent is often angry, more so now because she’s stuck at Bayview Retirement Village. She has little use for anyone except the new resident Tom Ballard, who gleefully cheers Diana on as she goes about her undermining ways, to give the conniving manager Harvey Baines and his assistant Jane Edwards their comeuppance.
Add Diana’s niece Sarah Chase, a successful and charming businesswoman and Mary Ballard, the daughter of Tom who is very dull and has a difficult marriage to a sex mad husband. Plus a dithering vicar, a female doctor, a mad organist and an undertaker and this all leads to a hilarious conspiracy with unexpected heartwarming results.

There is a gallery further down the page with 12 photos of the show. To see the complete set of photos please click here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZD6SX3jyn6f9hgJv7

Many thanks to Paul and Sue Berkeley AFIAP, ARPS, CPAGB for all the wonderful photos

The Cast & Crew

CAST
Diana Trent – Wendy Howard-Allen
Tom Ballard – Richard Fereday
Jane Edwards – Courtney Fereday
Harvey Baines – Mathew Walker
Sarah Chase – Laura Soles
Mary Ballard – Debbie Lucas
Dennis Sparrow + Basil – Hugh Howard-Allen
Doctor + Milly + Organist – Liv Stopes
Undertaker – Neil Hopkins

CREW
Director – Len Reid
Stage Manager – Neil Hopkins
Prompt – Sue Nicholson
Lighting and Sound – Colin Bailey with Simon Hanney, Megan Raine and Clare Collins
Props – Mary Stallwood, Emma Lucas, Ruth and James Moody-Jones
Set Designer – David Ward
Set Construction Crew Led by David Ward and Richard White.
Front of House – Wendy Beaumont, David Luker.
Box Office – Sue Baker and Robin Ede
Photography – PDS Theatre Photography