SAVAGE, a new play about Paul O'Grady, to have world premiere

Savage tells the story of Paul O'Grady, better known by his drag persona, Lily Savage. Created with his blessing, it is a bold and deeply moving new play drawing on both Paul’s extraordinary life and his autobiographies to tell the story behind the creation of Lily Savage. The show follows Paul’s journey from the streets of Merseyside to the heart of London’s club scene, where, armed with little more than his wits and a wig, he began carving out a place for himself. From humble roots and an unassuming start emerged Lily Savage: the fearless, foul-mouthed alter ego who would defy convention and win the hearts of millions.

It is written by multi-award-winning Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme, Coronation Street, Beautiful Thing) and stars RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard in the title role. The world premiere production will be directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, West End/UK & Ireland Tour; Legally Blonde, UK & Ireland Tour; The Sound of Music, Curve).

Harvey said, "I first saw Lily in a scuzzy gay bar in West London in the late 80s and laughed ‘til I hurt, so it’s an honour indeed to bring his story and the colourful escapades of the blonde bombsite herself to life."

The production will make its world premiere on 13 February 2027 at Curve Leicester, prior to London’s West End.

Savage Tickets