Bold dystopian reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III
June 18, 2026
Starring RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard in the title role.
Further casting and creatives to be announced.
The world premiere production is written by multi-award-winning Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme, Coronation Street, Beautiful Thing) and directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, West End/UK & Ireland Tour; Legally Blonde, UK & Ireland Tour; The Sound of Music, Curve).
Inspired by the life of Paul O’Grady, and created with his blessing, SAVAGE 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 production will make its world premiere on 13 February 2027 at Curve Leicester, prior to London’s West End.
Speaking during the initial development of SAVAGE, before his passing, Paul said “I’m delighted Jonathan (Harvey) has agreed to write the script, I really am as he’s perfect for this and he’s such a great writer.”
Before the spotlight, there was a working-class boy from Birkenhead with a sharp tongue, thick skin, and something to say.
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.
SAVAGE combines razor-sharp wit, unexpected tenderness, and plenty of peroxide, in an intimate portrait of a singular talent and the world that made him.
Funny, raw, and full of heart, this is the story of how Paul became Lily and how Lily became a British icon.
13 February – 6 March
Leicester, Curve
16 – 20 March
Liverpool Playhouse
23 – 27 March
Lowry, Salford
30 March – 3 April
Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
6 – 10 April
Theatre Royal Bath
13 – 17 April
Norwich Theatre Royal
20 – 24 April
Birmingham Hippodrome
Danny Beard is one of the UK’s best-known drag performers and presenters, known for their quick wit, powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence. After making a name for themselves on the cabaret and club circuit, Danny shot to national prominence by winning the fourth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, becoming the first bearded queen in the franchise’s history to take the crown.
Since then, Danny has built a career across television, radio, podcasting and live performance. They have hosted BBC Three’s The After Shave with Danny Beard, appeared on shows including Hollyoaks, Big Brother: Late & Live and The Traitors: Uncloaked, and fronted their own show on BBC Radio 1. In 2025, Danny reached an even wider audience as runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother, winning viewers over with their warmth, humour and authenticity while appearing out of drag throughout the series.
Alongside their television work, Danny remains a hugely popular live performer. Their acclaimed solo show Straight Expectations earned multiple five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, while their performance in the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre pantomime earned a Best Villain nomination at the UK Pantomime Awards, with the production itself being named Best Pantomime in the UK.
With a busy year ahead 2026 started off with Danny completing the UK tour of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief as Mr D, the god of wine and drama!
