29 June – 4 July
National treasure Dame Maureen Lipman will star in the world premiere production of Allegra, a heart-warming new comedy from Tony Award and double Olivier Award nominated playwright Peter Quilter (End of the Rainbow and Glorious!), when the show visits Bath’s Theatre Royal from Monday 29 June to Saturday 4 July. Allegra is a tender, hilarious and life affirming story about family, love and holding on to joy for as long as possible.
Star of stage and screen, Dame Maureen Lipman takes centre stage in the title role of Allegra, who is beloved by millions for her role in Coronation Street and celebrated for her extraordinary career, and will appear in her eagerly anticipated first UK tour for 20 years.
Dame Maureen 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.”
Directed and choreographed by three-time Olivier Award winning musical theatre director, Stephen Mear (Sunset Boulevard, Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!), the show is packed full of heart, humour and full of iconic musical numbers performed by an extraordinary cast, including Singin’ in the Rain, Ain’t No Sunshine, Dream A Little Dream Of Me and Happy Days Are Here Again.
Allegra is full of life, joy and an irresistible urge to sing. She bursts into song at home, in the street and even in the local shops and cafés. Sometimes the orchestra plays only in her imagination. Sometimes it spills gloriously into the real world, much to the delight, confusion and occasional horror of everyone around her. Her devoted brother Ronen (John Middleton, Emmerdale) and her carer Anna (Elizabeth Bower, Midsomer Murders) do their best to keep life steady, but how do you protect someone you love without dimming the light that makes them who they are?
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.”
Writer Peter Quilter will have the rare distinction of four plays running across the UK in 2026: Allegra; the 20th anniversary tour of Glorious! starring Wendi Peters and Matthew James Morrison; Step By Step on UK tour with an all-star cast; and Jinkx Monsoon stars as Judy Garland in a revival of End of the Rainbow at Soho Theatre in Walthamstow.
ALLEGRA appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 29 June to Saturday 4 July. For tickets visit the Theatre Royal Bath website at theatreroyal.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01225 448844
Photography credit: Marc Brenner
This listing appears on our front page until 11:55pm on Saturday July 4th, 2026
