Allegra - review of the new comedy starring Dame Maureen Lipman

Maureen Lipman with Bailey Patrick Photo credit Marc Brenner

★★★★★

There are some evenings at the theatre that leave you smiling all the way home, and Allegra is very much one of them.

I attended the press night at the rather lovely Richmond Theatre, where Peter Quilter's new comedy received an enthusiastic welcome from the audience. At a time when the news seems relentlessly gloomy and every headline carries another reason to despair, Allegra arrives like a much-needed shaft of sunshine.

At the centre of it all is Dame Maureen Lipman in the title role. Celebrating her 80th year, she remarked that "80 is the new 40", and after witnessing this performance it is hard to disagree. Quite how she manages the demands of eight performances a week is remarkable enough, but to do so with such energy, precision and comic timing is extraordinary.

Lipman's portrayal of Allegra has something of the great Joyce Grenfell about it. There is a wonderfully expressive quality to her performance, full of movement and character, yet never once does it descend into caricature or slapstick. Every gesture feels truthful, every moment carefully judged. She creates a woman who is eccentric, amusing, frustrating and utterly lovable all at the same time.

The story follows Allegra, whose joy for life manifests itself through spontaneous bursts of song and music. What could have become a one-note joke instead develops into something touching and surprisingly profound. Quilter balances the comedy with genuine emotion, allowing us to laugh while never losing sight of the deeper themes running beneath the surface.

The supporting cast are equally impressive. Each performer contributes to the warm-hearted atmosphere of the piece, creating believable relationships that anchor the more whimsical elements of the story. There isn't a weak link amongst them, and the ensemble work is particularly strong throughout.

Some of my favourite moments came during the sequences that take place inside Allegra's imagination. As the music she hears fills her mind, the rest of the cast join her world, transforming ordinary situations into delightful musical interludes. The Singing in the Rain sequence was both charming and genuinely funny, beautifully staged and impossible not to enjoy.

I also loved the inventive use of props and projections throughout the production. The recurring appearance of Dad's ashes stored in various tins provided some wonderfully comic moments, while the pop-up tulips accompanying Tiptoe Through the Tulips were simply delightful. These visual touches add an extra layer of playfulness to a production already overflowing with imagination.

Following its premiere, Allegra continues its UK tour with visits to High Wycombe, Aberdeen, Malvern, Windsor, Glasgow and Bath before transferring to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre for a five-week run from 8 July to 8 August 2026.

What lingers long after the curtain call is the show's generosity of spirit. Allegra reminds us that joy is something to be treasured, protected and celebrated. In a world that often feels weighed down by bad news, we could all do with an Allegra in our lives.

Funny, touching and filled with heart, this is a production that sends audiences back into the world feeling just a little bit lighter than when they arrived.

Cast

• Maureen Lipman as Allegra

• John Middleton as Ronen

• Elizabeth Bower as Anna

• Bailey Patrick as Officer Rogers

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Remaining Tour Dates & Booking Information

Following Richmond, Allegra continues its UK tour at:

• Theatre Royal Windsor – 15 to 20 June 2026

• Theatre Royal Glasgow – 22 to 27 June 2026

• Theatre Royal Bath – 29 June to 4 July 2026

The production then transfers to the West End for a limited five-week season at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 8 July to 8 August 2026. Tickets are available via the official ATG website.

Booking

For tour and West End tickets visit: ATG Tickets – Allegra