Allegra tour with Maureen Lipman – first look

Take a look at the world premiere of Allegra, a new comedy by Peter Quilter, which opened this week ahead of a proposed West End run.

Maureen Lipman leads the cast, with John Middleton, Elizabeth Bower and Bailey Patrick in the company. The production is directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear.

The show has opened at Theatre Royal Brighton during the week of Lipman’s 80th birthday before touring to venues including Wycombe Swan, His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, Malvern Theatre, Richmond Theatre, Theatre Royal Windsor, Theatre Royal Glasgow and Theatre Royal Bath.

The play follows Allegra, a woman whose sense of joy causes her to burst into song in everyday situations. Her behaviour leads to disruption in the village where she lives.

The creative team includes Mear, set and costume designer Justin Williams, lighting designer Samuel Biondolillo, sound designer Russell Ditchfield, production management by Setting Line, general management and tour booking by Thomas Hopkins Productions and casting by Rob Kelly.

The production is produced by Thomas Hopkins Productions and SAMS Entertainment.

The show took steps to issue a statement when the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) launched a petition calling on Aberdeen Performing Arts to cancel Lipman’s upcoming appearance, with the SPSC criticising her longstanding support of Israel. The campaign drew widespread condemnation after the SPSC’s Aberdeen branch posted an image of Lipman with red devil’s horns and a trident – a depiction the Campaign Against Antisemitism called “a longstanding antisemitic trope.”

Hopkins said last week: “As the producer of Allegra, I want to be clear this play takes no political or religious position. It is simply a story about joy and ageing with grace, captured in its spirit that there is ‘still light to be found, even now.’ Dame Maureen Lipman, a true national treasure, is doing what she does best bringing warmth and humanity to the stage. Peaceful protest is a right, but hateful or derogatory language, towards individuals, has no place in public life. Artists should be free to do their work, and any concerns should be addressed lawfully and respectfully.”