Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe – until Saturday 23rd May 2026
Reviewed by Rachel Clark
4****
This is a brand new comedy written by Peter Quilter (Olivier and Tony award writer) and directed and choregraphed by Stephen Mear. The comedy has only 4 characters and all were fantastic. Dame Maureen Lipman playing Allegra, she was like the batty Aunty we all have, a happy person always singing and having an orchestra in her head. The singing gets her into trouble with shops and neighbours as she is disturbing their peaceful, miserable lives! Dame Maureen Lipman played Allegra extremely well creating lots of laughs in the audience. Her brother Ronen was played superbly by John Middleton – known as playing Ashley in Emmerdale. He is a devoted brother who tries to keep his sister out of trouble and in doing so gets her a carer Anna. Anna’s played by Elizabeth Bower, who enjoys the singing and fun she has caring for Allegra. A great part of the policeman was played by Bailey Patrick ( played in numerous parts one being in Eastenders) and he made you smile and laugh, it looked like he was thoroughly enjoying playing the policeman.
It was a great comedy and think the playwriter must have at some-point visited my Aunty as so many characteristics were the same!
It’s great show for humour, laughter and warmth. I am really pleased I got to see this play.
The only issue at the opening show was the volume, it did fade in and out at times and I did let the staff know in the interval, but if they get this sorted for the next performance it will enhance it even more.