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Allegra

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 5 Published: 9 Jun 2026 Richmond Theatre (Ambassador Theatre Group) Show Dates: 8 Jun 2026-13 Jun 2026

With a head full of songs to which she has to give voice, Allegra swans around her village causing distress to all the miserable, grumpy and easily upset locals who despise her lack of conformity to social norms. They resent her cheerfulness and the way she tries to spread her glee, while she sees herself as performing a service to the community by brightening their days.

Delightful situation comedy, brimming with classic English humour

Dame Maureen Lipman, in the eponymous role, clearly relishes every minute of playing such an innocently mischievous character and, as a consequence, her infectious joy flows off the stage, enveloping us in two hours of delightful situation comedy, brimming with classic English humour, courtesy of Peter Quilter’s profound understanding of what makes us laugh. The show has a pace worthy of a farce and contains nods to that genre, thanks to the astute direction of Stephen Mear, who is also responsible for choreographing the highly entertaining song-and-dance routines that permeate the show and venture into every corner of Justin Williams’ charming country-house set. He also designed the vividly coloured costumes that give Allegra an added air of eccentricity.

Brimming with so many tunes, Allegra sometimes recedes into her own fantasy world while others are talking to her. As she does, lighting designs by Samuel Biondolillo, with sound by Russell Ditchfield, transform the set as projected leaves descend and dancing tulips appear while she bursts into that old Tiptoe favourite. Complaints from the neighbours, people in the library, the hairdressers and local shoppers reach a point where she is ultimately given a judicial order to desist and is placed on medication that destroys all the life in her.

She’d been warned that this might happen by her long-suffering brother, Ronen, charmingly played by John Middleton in a caring role riddled with frustration at dealing with Allegra. He employs a Czech housekeeper, Anna, played with firm compassion by Elizabeth Bower, to bring some semblance of order to his sister's life. Somewhat surprisingly, Allegra gets on well with Anna. Interrupting the domesticity, Officer Rogers makes several visits to the house to explain how Allegra's behaviour is increasingly being brought to the attention of the police. Bailey Patrick, as a stereotypical village bobby, is both serious and comical as he becomes drawn into this bizarre world.

Among all the humour there is a serious but unstated undercurrent of issues relating to old age and mental health, which those looking for more meat among the light-hearted frivolity of Allegra might like to ponder. No doubt some will criticise Quilter for not making the play more sensitive to these issues, but this is escapist entertainment, almost of a bygone age, and not the soul-searching angst of most modern drama. To that end, sit back, enjoy the show and wonder at the marvellous Dame Maureen, who celebrated her 80th birthday last month.

Following this week’s run at Richmond Theatre, the play goes on tour until its limited West End run at the Harold Pinter Theatre, starting on 8 July.

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The Blurb:

From Olivier Award nominated playwright Peter Quilter (End of the Rainbow, Glorious!) comes a new heart-warming comedy with music, starring national treasure Maureen Lipman (BAFTA nominee Pianist, Coronation Street, See How They Run, Educating Rita).

Allegra is full of life, joy and an irresistible urge to sing. She bursts into song at home, in the street, and even in shops and restaurants. Sometimes the music plays only in her imagination, but often it spills into real and disruptive performances that create chaos in her quiet village and amuse, confuse or exasperate everyone she meets.

Her brother Ronen and her carer Anna try to keep her exuberance under control while avoiding angry visits from the local policeman. Yet they face an impossible challenge. How can they protect Allegra without dimming the happiness and wonder that fill her heart and define her spirit?

Maureen Lipman stars as Allegra, in this moving comedy with lively musical sequences and plenty of laughter. It is also a tender and emotional story about family, love and the way even the most beautiful minds can begin to disappear.