Waiting for God

All the favourite characters from the original series are reimagined facing the challenges that come with growing old disgracefully in the era of the silver surfer.



After five successful series during the 1990s, BBC sitcom Waiting for God has been adapted as a stand alone stage play by writer Michael Aitkens.

At Bayview Retirement Village, battle-axe extraordinaire Diana Trent conspires with new resident Tom Ballard to give the conniving manager his comeuppance through an hilarious conspiracy with unexpectedly heart-warming results.

Waiting for God follows the lives of those inhabiting the Bayview Retirement Home – a dreary, slow-paced residential home that proudly boasts ‘highlights’ such as a trips to Lourdes and Stonehenge in a ramshackle minibus.
Resident Diana Trent is a woman who despises the title of senior citizen and all of the stereotypes that go with it. With no intention of slipping into old age quietly, Diana focuses her energy on making life for Bayview manager Harvey Baines as difficult as possible. When playful ex-accountant Tom Ballard moves into the adjacent apartment, Diana sees him as nothing but a boring man who’s lived a boring life. Eager to change her opinion, Tom decides to impress Diana by making a stand at dinnertime – declaring the food inedible and marching to wage war against Baines. Confronted by Tom’s promises to ‘disembowel himself on the steps of the town hall’, Baines resentfully increases budgeting on food, much to the delight of the other residents. Seeing an opportunity to gain a partner in crime, Diana forms an alliance with Tom and the pair embark on a number of adventures together. The play’s humour centres around growing old disgracefully and the delightful antics of its colourful characters.

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