Veteran actor Maureen Lipman (Oklahoma!, Agony, Coronation Street) will star in the forthcoming world premiere of Peter Quilter's Allegra, which will tour the U.K. before a planned West End run (to be announced) beginning in May 2026.

The new comedy will launch at Brighton's Theatre Royal May 12, before playing engagements at High Wycombe's Wycombe Swan, Aberdeen's His Majesty’s Theatre, Malvern's Malvern Theatre, London's Richmond Theatre, Windsor's Theatre Royal, Glasgow's Theatre Royal, and Bath's Theatre Royal with additional venues to be announced.

Lipman will play Allegra, who is so full of joy that she can't stop herself from bursting into song. Sometimes the music is only a fantasy in her head, but at other times it results in a 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. 

The production will feature song and dance sequences. Additional casting and creative team members will be announced at a later date.

In a statement, Lipman, seen in Rose in the West End in 2023, said, "To find a comedy which can turn our current face of gloom into an upturned grin of happiness, is rare. Allegra is about a woman who is relentlessly upbeat—in more ways than one. Ibsen it isn’t."

Lipman has been nominated for seven Olivier Awards, winning in 1984 for See How They Run. Quilter is the playwright of End of the Rainbow, Glorious!, and Duets.

Thomas Hopkins Productions and SAMS Entertainment produce.

Visit Allegraplay.com.