SKIPTON Little Theatre becomes a scrapyard on Tuesday, November 27 for a recreation of classic sitcom Steptoe and Son.

Hambledon Productions will present Christmas With

Steptoe And Son based on scripts written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

John Hewer has adapted the classic scripts to create a seasonal story about the nation’s favourite rag-and-bone men and their home at Oil Drum Lane.

Father and son Albert and Harold, united by blood, divided over everything else, seem doomed to spend Christmas in each other’s company.

But Harold has his flights of fancy… including a flight he fancies abroad or to throw the biggest Christmas party London’s ever had to offer!

His “dirty old man” Albert, of course, has other ideas… who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas at Mrs Boxwood’s B&B in Bognor Regis anyway?

A spokesman said: “These much-loved episodes of classic comedy from Galton and Simpson have been freshly adapted for the stage and are presented by the company behind the recent sell-out successes’ Just Like That! The Tommy Cooper Show and Steptoe and Son.

“This new stage show has particular appeal to those who remember the perennial BBC sitcom (1962-1974), classic British comedy, and comedy-dramas such as the work of Pinter, Ayckbourn and Coward.”

The original scripts have been adapted for the stage by John Hewer, a West End playwright specialising in comedy, and former graduate of the Royal Court and Soho Theatre’s Young Writers’ programmes.

The four episodes adapted for the Christmas production were voted for by an online public poll in 2016 to find the nation’s favourite “Steptoe” adventures.

Visit skiptonlittletheatre.org.uk or call 07527 141176 to book tickets.

The cast includes John Hewer, who has played Tony Hancock and Tommy Cooper on stage, and Jeremy Smith. Both attended the National Youth Theatre and The Young Vic Company.

The television series ran to 58 episodes, including Christmas Specials and also two feature length films, all of which have enjoyed repeats across the BBC and ITV networks and on the ‘Yesterday’ Channel in the past year

Steptoe and Son’ was ranked as number 13 in a 100-strong nationwide poll to find the nation’s favourite sitcom in 2004.

Reviews for Hambleton’s original Steptoe and Son production, which toured early this year, have praised the respect, love and affection clearly shown for the originals.

London Theatre 1 wrote: “Authentic Galton and Simpson. As funny as it ever was. A rattling good evening in the theatre.”

A spokesman added: “Steptoe And Son ran for eight series from 1962-1974 and spawned two film spin-offs and several guest appearances, and is fondly remembered as one of the greatest and most influential programmes.

“Telling the story of two warring rag-and-bone-men in their Shepherd’s Bush scrapyard home, Albert and Harold became household favourites across generations and still they continue to entertain audiences today.

“One proclaims he’s a “a poor old man” while the other protests that actually he’s “a dirty old man!” In actual fact, both are telling the truth.

“This latest adaptation features the classic episodes “The Party” and “A Perfect Christmas” as well as hilarious excerpts from other episodes. The show will feature a ‘lost’ sketch originally performed in 1962 as part of BBC’s “Christmas Night with the Stars” spectacle.

“The recording is missing from the archives, but Hambledon Productions have been granted exclusive permission to include the original script in this stage adaptation.”