Katherine Parkinson is to star in a stage version of classic TV sitcom 'The Good Life'.

Katherine Parkinson

Katherine Parkinson

British theatre director-and-writer Jeremy Sams has created a play inspired by the BBC comedy which ran for four series from April 1975 to 10 June 1978.

The show was created by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey and focused on disillusioned toy designer Tom Good and his wife Barbara Good who turn their backs on a mainstream lifestyle instead choosing to turn their house in Surbiton, Surrey, into a self-sustainable home complete with a vegetable garden and livestock that included chickens, their pigs Pinky and Perky, goat Geraldine and cockerel Lenin.

Tom and Barbara were played by Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal, whilst their disapproving neighbours Jerry and Margo Leadbetter were portrayed by Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith.

'The IT Crowd' star Katherine has been cast as Barbara and in a coincidence the 41-year-old actress grew up in Surbiton.

No other cast members have been announced.

As well as her TV parts, Katherine also has an extensive stage background with a role in Laura Wade's play 'Home, I'm Darling', a performance which earned her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress.

'The Good Life' play is due to run for three weeks in June at the Theatre Royal, Bath, and if it proves to be successful with audiences then the plan is for it to move to London's West End.