Dame Maureen Lipman will return to the West End this summer in Allegra, a new comedy by Peter Quilter, following a series of five-star reviews during its UK tour.
The production, directed and choreographed by three-time Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, will run at the Pinter Theatre from 8 July to 8 August 2026, with a press night on 9 July.
Lipman leads the cast as the exuberant Allegra, a woman whose unstoppable joy expresses itself through spontaneous bursts of song, often causing chaos in her everyday life.
She is joined by John Middleton, Elizabeth Bower and Bailey Patrick, completing a strong ensemble for this heartwarming and eccentric story.
Allegra follows its titular character whose vivid imagination and musical outbursts disrupt her small community, leaving her brother and carer struggling to manage her behaviour while preserving her happiness.
The play combines comedy with a poignant exploration of memory and identity, asking how far we go to protect the people we love.
Dame Maureen Lipman 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’”
Playwright Peter Quilter added: “Maureen is one of the great theatrical treasures of this country, and to have her bring Allegra to life is a joy and an honour.”
Producer Thomas Hopkins said: “Working again with Maureen after the remarkable West End success of Rose is an absolute privilege. Bringing this joyful show in London’s West End is the gift we all need.”
The creative team includes set and costume designer Justin Williams, lighting designer Samuel Biondolillo, sound designer Russell Ditchfield and video designer Ben Bull.
Allegra reunites Lipman with director Stephen Mear nearly three decades after their previous collaboration on the National Theatre’s Oklahoma!.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
