Maureen Lipman to return to the West End in 'Allegra'

Directed and choreographed by three-time Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, Allegra follows a woman who is full of joy and cannot stop bursting into song.

Dame Maureen Lipman will return to the West End in Peter Quilter's new comedy Allegra. Performances begin at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 8 July running through 8 August.

Directed and choreographed by three-time Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, Allegra follows a woman who is full of joy and cannot stop bursting into song. Her brother and carer struggle to control her eccentricities without destroying her great happiness.

Lipman reunites with director/choreographer Mear 28 years after they first worked together on the National Theatre’s production of Oklahoma!.

The cast also features John Middleton (Emmerdale), Elizabeth Bower (Trollied) and Bailey Patrick (London Kills).

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."

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.”

The rest of the creative team includes set and costume designer Justin Williams, lighting designer Samuel Biondolillo, sound designer Russell Ditchfield, video designer Ben Bull.

Check back for Allegra tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Allegra artwork. (Courtesy of production)