Phoenix Nights to return as a stage show
Update, Sunday 30th November: Due to demand, 11 additional shows have been added to the run.
Update, Wednesday 3rd December: Two more shows added, taking the total to 15. Tickets from www.peterkay.co.uk
Peter Kay has confirmed that his much loved sitcom Phoenix Nights will return as a stage show.
Kay appeared on Radio 2 to make the announcement, revealing that he will return as Brian Potter for two shows only, all in aid of charity.
Due to be staged at the Manchester Evening News Arena, the new stage version will feature the full original cast of the TV series, including Paddy McGuinness, Dave Spikey and Neil FitzMaurice.
The first show will on Saturday 31st January and the second on Sunday 1st February 2015. Tickets will go on sale on various ticketing websites on Sunday 30th November at 11am.
All profits from the shows will go to Comic Relief, the comedy-based charity that Kay has been heavily involved in fundraising for in the past. The next Red Nose Day is on Friday 13th March 2015.
Peter Kay said: "Comic Relief has always been close to my heart and I always try to think of something. I could think of no better way to raise money and have fun than getting everybody back together."
Phoenix Nights launched on Channel 4 in 2001, and ran for two series. Written by Peter Kay, Neil FitzMaurice and Dave Spikey, the 12 episodes focused on a struggling working men's club. Run by Brian Potter and Jerry St Clair, The Phoenix Club tries various tactics to increase its membership and profits.
This show will be the latest sitcom to make a comeback via the stage. Earlier this year, Scottish TV comedy Still Game packed out Glasgow's Hydro arena for 21 nights.
In the below clip from Phoenix Nights, Brian discovers the club has booked an inappropriate bouncy castle for their family fun day: