MAUREEN LIPMAN returns to the WEST END following a UK tour, in Allegra – a new comedy by Peter Quilter.
Following her acclaimed performance in Rose at the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End in 2023, Dame Maureen now returns in triumph, leading this joyful, heartwarming comedy – Allegra at Harold Pinter Theatre 8 July – 8 August 2026.
The production reunites Dame Maureen with Director/Choreographer Stephen Mear, 28 years after they first worked together on the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Oklahoma!
The cast also features John Middleton (Emmerdale), Elizabeth Bower (Trollied) and Bailey Patrick (London Kills).
Allegra – The Show
Allegra (Maureen Lipman) is full of joy. So much of it that she cannot stop herself from bursting into song. At home, in the street, even in shops and restaurants.
Sometimes the music is only a fantasy in her head. But at other times, 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, must somehow control her eccentricities and avoid angry visits by the local policeman. But is this possible without destroying the great happiness that fills Allegra’s heart?
Allegra is a moving comedy with spectacular song and dance sequences, but is also a touching and emotional examination of how, sometimes, the most beautiful of minds can start to disappear.
Allegra Creative Team
Writer: Peter Quilter
Director & Choreographer: Stephen Mear
Set & Costume Designer: Justin Williams
Lighting Designer: Samuel Biondolillo
Sound Designer: Russell Ditchfield
Video Designer: Ben Bull
Production Management: Setting Line
General Management & Tour Booking: Thomas Hopkins Productions
Casting Director: Rob Kelly
Allegra – The Cast
Maureen Lipman‘s theatre credits include: See How They Run (Shaftesbury Theatre): As You Like It (RSC); Outside Edge and Martin Sherman’s Messiah (Hampstead); Aunt Eller in the National Theatre’s Oklahoma!; Lost in Yonkers (Strand Theatre); Daytona (Park Theatre & Theatre Royal Haymarket); Harvey (Birmingham Rep & Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Best Man (Playhouse Theatre).
Her film credits include: Oklahoma!, the Oscar-winning The Pianist and Educating Rita.
Her extensive TV credits include playing agony aunt Jane Lucas in the groundbreaking series Agony (1979 – 81); playing Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street since 1981.
John Middleton (Ronen) is best known for playing Rev Ashley Thomas in ITV’s Emmerdale from 1996 to 2017.
After this he starred in a highly successful theatre tour of Strangers on a Train as the American detective Arthur Gerard. In 2021, John played Frank in the one-man show Hull & High Water for Hull Truck Theatre. Throughout 2022 and 2023, he played Colonel Pickering in the UK Tour of My Fair Lady, directed by Bartlett Sher and he can currently be seen as resident baddie Fraser “Froggy” Black Sr. in Hollyoaks.
Elizabeth Bower (Anna) is best known for playing Anna in the TV supermarket comedy series Trollied. Her other TV appearances include Mammoth, The Secret Life of Boys, The Trouble With Maggie Cole and Miss Scarlett and the Duke. She was a series regular on Doctors and Princess Mirror-Belle.
Bailey Patrick (PC) is best known on TV as Detective Rob Brady in all four seasons of London Kills. He was also in Bridgerton and Good Omens and played Amari in Andor. He played Vinnie alongside Danny Dyer in the recent film Marching Powder.
In the West End he played Trevor in Mischief’s Theatre’s Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Other stage roles include Hickey in The Country Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Allegra London Tickets and Venue Information
Venue: Harold Pinter Theatre
Dates: 8 July – 8 August 2026
Press night: Thursday 9 July at 7pm
Tickets: www.allegraplay.com
ALLEGRA TOUR DATES
High Wycombe Swan
Monday 18 – Saturday 23 May
Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre
Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 May
Malvern Theatre
1 – 6 June
Richmond Theatre
Monday 8 – Saturday 13 June
Windsor Theatre Royal
Monday 15 – Saturday 20 June
Glasgow Theatre Royal
Monday 22 – 27 June
Bath Theatre Royal
Monday 29 June- Saturday 4 July
