With those almost iconic words ‘Norman Stanley Fletcher’ ringing out through the theatre most people of a certain age will picture the late, great Ronnie Barker. For me now it will be Shaun Williamson, ex-Eastender, performer,  singer and actor.

It is almost unbelievable that Porridge was only on our screens from 1973 to 1978 and that the film that followed was Richard Bekinsdale’s last performance.

Today the H.M. Prison SLADE may be 30 years older but the inmates and guards are strangely unchanged, still staffed by the usual collection of jobsworths and soft touches. The prisoners are a varied group of hard nuts and those who were simply mislead.

The audience members seem to be literally flies on the wall getting to see what happens to the ‘numpties’ (prisoners), ‘kangas’ (screws) and visitors in the short period between the arrival of the latest prisoners to the new-year and early release of Godber for good behaviour. The comedy and jokes come thick and fast.

Officer Mackay (Nicholas Lumley) the bumbling bombastic Scott out to get Fletcher, Officer Barrowclough (John Conroy) tries to see the best in everyone but oh so easily duped, Dr Jessell (Jon De Ville) medic and fierce defender of the Sick Bay and Officer Tanner (Alex Tanner).

The inmates Grout (Peter Alexander) self styled king of the block, Blanko (Richard Syms) longest serving con who also provides the contraband sales. Warren (Andrew Scott Butler), Ives (Mark Pearce), Crusher (Matt Weyland) Grout’s enforcer, McLaren (Ryan Winston) Scottish wide boy and Prisoner (Barrett Robertson).

The ladies in the cast are Claire Andreadis as Ingrid Fletch’s daughter and Jolana Lee as Godber’s mum.

Daniel West as Lennie Godber is tall dark and extremely good looking, this young actor has a great future in front of him after his release from Slade.

Last but definitely not least we have Shaun Williamson in the iconic role of ‘Fletch’ which seems to fit him like a glove.

The coup in this production is that producer Ed O’Driscoll went back to the original writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenasis and for me this is evident. This superb show is extremely enjoyable for those of us who remember the TV programme but is definitely a great venture to bring new audiences on board. It may be drawing close to the end of this tour but look out for the show in a theatre near you. Or go to www.calibreproductions.co.uk for further information.