Dame Maureen Lipman Brings New Comedy Allegra to Richmond TheatreAhead of UK Tour

Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

The world premiere comedy plays Richmond Theatre as part of a UK tour, marking Lipman’s first major tour in 20 years.

If you’ve ever wanted a reminder that theatre can still surprise and delight, Dame Maureen Lipman is about to deliver just that. The national treasure will star in the world premiere of Allegra, a sparkling new comedy by Tony Award and Olivier-nominated playwright Peter Quilter. Opening at Theatre Royal Brighton in May and landing at Richmond Theatre in June, this marks Lipman’s first UK tour in two decades—and it coincides with her 80th birthday.

Allegra follows the endlessly cheerful title character, a woman whose happiness bursts into song—sometimes in her head, sometimes in the street, and occasionally in ways that disrupt her entire village. Her brother, Ronen, and carer, Anna, are left trying to keep things under control, while the local policeman struggles to maintain order. It’s a comedy packed with song and dance, but it’s also surprisingly tender, exploring how joy and eccentricity coexist with the fragility of the human mind.

For Lipman, the role is a perfect fit. “To find a comedy which can turn our current face of gloom into an upturned grin of happiness is rare,” she says. “Allegra is about a woman who is relentlessly upbeat—in more ways than one. Ibsen it isn’t.”

Peter Quilter, whose hit plays have been performed in over 50 countries, is thrilled to have Lipman on board. “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 production promises all the warmth and wit you’d expect from Lipman, whose career spans the West End, Broadway, film, and television. Fans will remember her for Rose in the West End, her one-woman shows, and TV classics like Agony and Coronation Street. She’s also the recipient of a Damehood, Olivier Award, and countless other accolades—proof that the woman behind Allegra knows a thing or two about commanding a stage.

Allegra tours the UK from 12 May 2026, with a national press night at Richmond Theatre on Monday 8 June. The six-day run at Richmond is a chance to see a living legend in her element, leading a comedy that promises laughter, heart, and more than a little mischief.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Lipman’s brilliance, this is one theatrical experience you won’t want to miss. Watch as Allegra turns everyday life into something gloriously unpredictable—and maybe even sings a little in your own head along the way.

Allegra – starring Dame Maureen Lipman
Tour Dates: Tuesday 12 May – Saturday 13 June 2026

Tour Dates

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

National Press Night
Monday 8 June at 7.30pm

Windsor
Theatre Royal
Monday 15 – Saturday 20 June

Glasgow
Theatre Royal
Monday 22 – 27 June

Bath
Theatre Royal
Monday 29 June- Saturday 4 July