Announcing the cast and Director/Choreographer joining
DAME MAUREEN LIPMAN for the world premiere of ALLEGRA
a new comedy by Peter Quilter
Director and Choreographer
Three-time Olivier Award® winner
STEPHEN MEAR
Allegra tours the UK from Tuesday 12 May, 2026
prior to the WEST END
Thomas Hopkins Productions and SAMS Entertainment are today thrilled to announce the complete cast joining national treasure Dame Maureen Lipman DBE in the world premiere of Allegra, a new comedy by Tony Award and two time Olivier Award® nominated playwright Peter Quilter.
Opening at Theatre Royal Brighton in the week Dame Maureen celebrates her 80th birthday, the cast features John Middleton (Emmerdale), Elizabeth Bower (Trollied) and Bailey Patrick (London Kills).
The production reunites Maureen with Director/Choreographer Stephen Mear 28 years after they worked together on the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Oklahoma! when Stephen assisted Choreographer Susan Stroman.
Following her acclaimed performance in Rose in the West End in 2023, Dame Maureen now leads this joyful heartwarming comedy on her first major UK theatre tour in 20 years.
Allegra is a moving comedy with spectacular song and dance sequences, but is also a touching and emotional examination of how, sometimes, the most beautiful of minds can start to disappear.
Allegra (Maureen Lipman) is full of joy. So much of it that she cannot stop herself from bursting into song. At home, in the street, even in shops and restaurants. Sometimes the music is only a fantasy in her head. But at other times, it results in a loud and 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. But is this possible without destroying the great happiness that fills Allegra’s heart?
Dame Maureen Lipman DBE
At the start of a long and distinguished theatre career in theatre, Dame Maureen Lipman DBE spent three years with the National Theatre Company at The Old Vic led by Sir Laurence Olivier. Her acclaimed one-woman tribute to Joyce Grenfell, Re: Joyce, ran several times over five years in the West End. Other self-written one-woman shows include Live and Kidding (Duchess Theatre) and Up For It (Edinburgh Fringe and Purcell Room). Other theatre credits include: See How They Run (Shaftesbury Theatre): As You Like It (RSC); Outside Edge and Martin Sherman’s Messiah (Hampstead); Aunt Eller in the National Theatre’s Oklahoma!; Lost in Yonkers (Strand Theatre); Daytona (Park Theatre & Theatre Royal Haymarket); Harvey (Birmingham Rep & Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Best Man (Playhouse Theatre). She has been nominated for seven Olivier Awards across categories commending acting in plays, musicals and comedy, winning in 1984 for See How They Run. Her film credits include: Oklahoma!, the Oscar-winning The Pianist and Educating Rita. Her extensive TV credits include playing agony aunt Jane Lucas in the groundbreaking series Agony (1979 – 81); playing Evelyn Plummer in Coronation Street since 1981 (winning seven TV awards including Best Soap Actress in the TV Choice Awards, and Celebrity Gogglebox alongside Gyles Brandreth.She was married for thirty-three years to the late writer Jack Rosenthal, appearing in three of his TV plays including the Emmy-winning The Evacuees. She was awarded a Damehood in 2021.
John Middleton (Ronen) is best known for playing Rev Ashley Thomas in ITV’s Emmerdale from 1996 to 2017. When John was given the story that Ashley would be diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, which played out over the subsequent two and a half years leading to the death of his character, Emmerdale won the Broadcast, Royal Television Society, National Television Award, BAFTA and British Soap Award for Best Soap, his story won Best Story and Best Episode and he won Best Male Dramatic Performance and Best Actor. At the Yorkshire Royal Television Society Awards, he won Best Actor and a Special Achievement award. After this he starred in a highly successful theatre tour of Strangers on a Train where he appeared as the American detective Arthur Gerard. In 2021, John played Frank in the one-man show Hull & High Water for Hull Truck Theatre. Throughout 2022 and 2023, he played Colonel Pickering in the UK Tour of My Fair Lady, directed by Bartlett Sher and he can currently be seen as resident baddie Fraser “Froggy” Black Sr. in Hollyoaks.
Elizabeth Bower (Anna) is best known for playing Anna in the TV supermarket comedy series Trollied. Her other TV appearances include Mammoth, The Secret Life of Boys, The Trouble With Maggie Cole and Miss Scarlett and the Duke. She was a series regular on Doctors and Princess Mirror-Belle.
Bailey Patrick (PC) is best known on TV as Detective Rob Brady in all four seasons of London Kills. He was also in Bridgerton and Good Omens and played Amari in Andor. He played Vinnie alongside Danny Dyer in the recent film Marching Powder. In the West End he played Trevor in Mischief’s Theatre’s Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Other stage roles include Hickey in The Country Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Dame Maureen 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’’
Peter Quilter said: “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. Allegra is sure to be one of UK theatre’s highlights of 2026.”
Playwright Peter Quilter will have the rare distinction of three plays running across the UK in 2026: Allegra; the 20th anniversary tour of Glorious! starring Wendi Peters and Matthew James Morrison; and Jinkx Monsoon will star as Judy Garland in a revival of End of the Rainbow at Soho Theatre in Walthamstow.
Peter Quilter – Playwright
Peter Quilter’s plays have been presented in 50 countries around the world and translated into over 30 languages. He has had a hit show on Broadway and three successful plays in London’s West End. Peter has twice been nominated for the Olivier Award (Best New Play and Best New Comedy) and his Broadway debut was nominated for three Tony Awards. His best known works are End of the Rainbow (a musical drama about the life of Judy Garland), Glorious! (the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the worst singer in the world) and Duets (a comedy for two actors). Peter’s first movie Judy starring Renée Zellweger received the Golden Globe, the Bafta and the Oscar for Best Actress. His first international success was End of the Rainbow (a musical drama about Judy Garland) which had its premiere in 2005 at Sydney Opera House. The show later played a sold out run in the West End starring Tracie Bennett. The play transferred to the Belasco Theatre on Broadway in 2012, where it was nominated for three Tony Awards. It has since been performed worldwide and in 2019 was adapted as the movie Judy, which won Renée Zellweger the Bafta, Golden Globe and the Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role. Glorious!, the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the worst singer in the world, premiered at Birmingham Rep in 2005 before transferring to the Duchess Theatre in the West End starring Maureen Lipman. The comedy has since been seen by over two million people in theatres across five continents. There will be further new productions this year in China, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Estonia, the USA and Spain. Peter’s other work includes the two-actor comedy Duets which has been performed in 20 countries and was broadcast “live” on television in Paris. The show is currently enjoying the third year of a record-breaking success in Brazil. He is also author of the all-
female comedy Step By Step and the 1999 West End show Boyband (Gielgud Theatre).
www.peterquilter.net
Stephen Mear (Director & Choreographer)
Stephen Mear is a three-time Olivier Award® winning and Tony nominated choreographer and director.
His prolific use of style and form has led to a global career across musical theatre, opera, TV and film. Stephen is passionate about regional theatre and champions UK theatre both at home and abroad. Mary Poppins has given him worldwide acclaim and presented him with an array of prestigious awards for his outstanding and innovative joint choreography with Sir Matthew Bourne. In 2020, Stephen was awarded a CBE for his services to dance.
Choreography credits include: Mary Poppins (worldwide, Olivier Award® winner); Old Friends (London/LA/New York); La Cage Aux Folles, Hello Dolly! (Olivier Award® winner), Crazy For You (Regents Park Open Air Theatre); The Witches (National Theatre); The Little Mermaid (Denver/Broadway); Sunset Boulevard (ENO Coliseum Theatre/Broadway); Chess (ENO, Coliseum Theatre) Gypsy (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre, BBC 4); Acorn Antiques The Musical (London/UK Tour/BBC); Stephen Ward (Aldwych Theatre); Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre); City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse/Garrick Theatre); White Christmas (The Curve Theatre/ Dominion Theatre/UK Tour); Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang! (West Yorkshire Playhouse/UK Tour); Singin’ in the Rain (Yorkshire Playhouse/National Theatre); Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre/Old Vic); The Pajama Game, Amadeus, Mack and Mable, Music Man, She Loves Me (Chichester Festival Theatre); Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory/Theatre Royal Haymarket); Sinatra (London Palladium/UK Tour); Anything Goes (National Theatre/Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Soul Train (London/UK Tour); Dreamgirls, Ragtime (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre).
Director and Choreographer credits include: Hello Dolly! (Lido 2, Paris); Funny Girl (Theatre Marigny, Paris); 42nd Street (Theatre Du Chatelet, Paris); Guys and Dolls (Royal Albert Hall); Top Hat, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Kilworth House Theatre); Shoes (Sadlers Wells).
Opera credits include: Don Giovanni (Royal Opera House); Die Fledermaus (The Metropolitan Opera New York); On The Town (ENO Coliseum Theatre/Theatre Du Chatelet, Paris). TV credits include: The Tracey Ullman Show (BBC); Psychobitches (Sky Arts); So You Think You Can Dance (BBC); Victoria Wood’s Christmas Special (BBC). Music Videos include: Number 1 Goldfrapp; The Importance of Being Idle Oasis. Stephen was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by Greenwich University, The Carl Alan Award in 2006 and 2015 and The Companion Award from The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts by Sir Paul McCartney.
Creative Team
Writer Peter Quilter
Director & Choreographer Stephen Mear
Set & Costume Designer Justin Williams
Lighting Designer: Samuel Biondolillo
Sound Designer: Russell Ditchfield
Production Management: Setting Line
General Management & Tour Booking: Thomas Hopkins Productions
Casting Director Rob Kelly
Producers: Thomas Hopkins Productions SAMS Entertainment
Thomas Hopkins Productions (THP) – Producer
Thomas Hopkins Productions (THP) was founded in 2019 by award-winning theatre, film, television, and radio producer Thomas Hopkins. Since its inception, THP has worked on over 150 live theatrical productions and numerous productions created and filmed specifically for platforms such as Sky, BBC, Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD, Broadway On Demand, and the educational platform Digital Theatre Plus. THP is recognised as an industry leader, specialising in transatlantic partnerships and supporting productions through its full-service organisation.
THP’s recent productions include; the critically acclaimed UK tour of The Talented Mr. Ripley and on Broadway; Robert Icke’s Oedipus, new musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake) Across New York, Liberation and seven-time Tony®-nominated John Proctor is the Villain. In London, THP produced This Bitter Earth, directed by Grammy Award, Emmy, and three-time Tony Award®-winning Billy Porter, at Soho Theatre in London’s West End; as well as the highly regarded Rose, starring Dame Maureen Lipman at the Ambassadors Theatre.
THP is passionate about creating new theatrical experiences and productions. Among THP’s current slate of development, some of the highlights include a new version of Boy George’s autobiographical musical Taboo, with plans to open in 2027; a new family musical by Olivier Award-winning composer Vikki Stone, based on the iconic BAFTA-winning BBC TV show Maid Marian and Her Merry Men by Sir Tony Robinson.
In 2026, THP is also producing the 20th Anniversary tour of the hit comedy Glorious! starring Wendi Peters, along with the major UK revival of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s hit musical Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Tony®-nominated Carrie-Anne Ingrouille.
SAMS Entertainment- Producer
SAMS Entertainment, founded by Tony Award–winning producers Sam Houlihan and Sam Biondolillo, is a New York–based producing company dedicated to theatre that is both artistically vibrant and accessible. The company is guided by the belief that producing should be collaborative, transparent, and rooted in trust-opening doors for new voices while supporting work that resonates with contemporary audiences.
On Broadway, the Sams have produced award‑winning productions including Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, the acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen. Off‑Broadway, their credits include DATA at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and Prince Faggot at Studio Seaview. Beyond Broadway, SAMS’ producing work spans the United Kingdom, where credits include the UK tour of The Talented Mr. Ripley, the UK tour of Glorious!, The Frogs at Southwark Playhouse, and Little Shop of Horrors at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and in Liverpool.
In addition to producing, SAMS Entertainment offers comprehensive management and consulting services. The company partners with artists and creative teams from the earliest stages of development through performance, providing structure and support that encourages both artistic freedom and financial clarity. Their model invites collaborators and investors into the creative and commercial process itself, not solely the final result, fostering an environment of openness, shared purpose, and long‑term sustainability.
Driven by a belief in the transformative power of theatre, Sam Houlihan and Sam Biondolillo are committed to creating work that inspires, challenges, and endures-building theatre for today’s audiences and for generations to come.
ALLEGRA 2026 UK TOUR DATES
Thomas Hopkins Productions
SAMS Entertainment
present
Brighton
Theatre Royal
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 May
High Wycombe
Wycombe Swan
Monday 18 – Saturday 23 May
Aberdeen
His Majesty’s Theatre
Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 May
Malvern
Malvern Theatre
1 – 6 June
LONDON
Richmond Theatre
Monday 8 – Saturday 13 June
Windsor
Theatre Royal
Monday 15 – Saturday 20 June
Glasgow
Theatre Royal
Monday 22 – 27 June
Bath
Theatre Royal
Monday 29 June- Saturday 4 July
with more dates to be announced
Tickets:
www.allegraplay.com