Maureen Lipman to star in West End transfer of ALLEGRA

Written by two-time Olivier Award nominated playwright Peter Quilter and directed and choreographed by three-time Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, the play tells the story of the titular Allegra, a woman so full of joy that she can't stop herself from bursting into song: at home, in the streets, even in shops and restaurants. Sometimes the music is in her head, but sometimes it results in a loud and disruptive performance that causes chaos in the village where she lives. Allegra’s brother, Ronen, and her carer, Anna, struggle to control Allegra's eccentricities and keep her out of trouble with the police. But is it possible without destroying the great happiness that fills her heart?

Dame Maureen Lipman will play Allegra, returning to the West End following her acclaimed performance in Rose in 2023. The production reunites her with Stephen Mear 28 years after they first worked together on the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Oklahoma!. She is joined in the cast by John Middleton (Emmerdale), Elizabeth Bower (Trollied) and Bailey Patrick (London Kills).

Described as a heartwarming comedy with specular song and dance sequences as well as an emotional examination of how a mind might disappear, Allegra has been praised as "truly memorable" (Backstage) and "a supremely gorgeous show of joy and hope and a lot of heart in these dark times” (Gaydio Radio). 

Lipman said, "Allegra is about a woman who is relentlessly upbeat - in more ways than one. Ibsen it isn’t’’, while Quilter said, “Maureen is one of the great theatrical treasures of this country, and to have her bring Allegra to life is a joy and an honour.”

Allegra will play the Harold Pinter Theatre from 8 July to 8 August, with a press night on 9 July.