Review: Allegra, starring Maureen Lipman at Glasgow Theatre Royal | Charming bittersweet old-time comedy

Lisa in the theatre
58 minutes ago
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Dame Maureen Lipman stars in Peter Quilter's new comedy play Allegra at the Theatre Royal Glasgow until Saturday 27th June 2026. Read my review below.

Allegra ★★★☆☆

Review: 22 June 2026 | Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Touring the UK for the first time in 20 years, 80-year-old Dame Maureen Lipman stars in the world premiere of Peter Quilter's new comedy play Allegra ahead of a run in the West End this summer.

Quilter's play is set in an unnamed rural English village, where the elderly Allegra (Maureen Lipman) lives alone in a home filled with eccentricities, colour and song.

Allegra gets out of bed when she wants - usually around 3 pm - and doesn't bother much with nutrition, cleaning or the prescription medication that she's supposed to take. Her caring younger brother Ronen (John Middleton) often pops round to visit, and he's just hired a Czech Home Help / Housekeeper Anna (Elizabeth Bower) to help wrangle Allegra into taking better care of herself.

When local policeman Officer Rogers (Bailey Patrick) arrives at the door, it seems Allegra has been bothering the local community by bursting into song and dance routines at ill-timed moments. But Allegra can't help it. She's so full of joy that the Broadway show tunes and tap dances simply have a gleeful mind of their own.

Maureen Lipman and John Middleton in Allegra the play by Peter Quilter. — Maureen Lipman and John Middleton in Allegra.

Full of witty humour, unforgettable characters and quirky silliness

Directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear, Allegra is an irresistibly charming play with a central character so full of life and cheeky one-liners that it's a joy to watch the old-time sitcom-like story unfold. Would anyone really complain about an old lady singing in a petrol station? I'm not so sure. But outlandish storyline aside, the writing is strong, the dialogue is sharp, and there's a beautiful, bittersweet message at the heart of Quilter's play.

Maureen Lipman is an incredible comic talent, and her Allegra is a spirited, quick-witted, wonderful old lady. Some of the song and dance routines that Allegra imagines are in her head, others are fully realised - often in public. You can see how that may become a little alarming and unsettling for her family!

The advert for this show promises "spectacular song and dance routines", and while I think that's a little exaggerated - Lipman for all her talents, is not a singer, and the video projections could be better for this quality of production - the musical interludes do sparkle with an unpolished warmth and charm. This isn't meant to be a Broadway star performing the routines; it's an 80-year-old lady, embracing her happiness. To that end, it's completely authentic and so enjoyable.

Maureen Lipman impressively nails the lively choreography, but then she effortlessly portrays the still, heartbreaking, over-medicated shell of someone who has toed the line to keep her family happy.

Although I could see where the narrative in Quilter's story was headed, the ride was nevertheless a delightful one, with John Middleton as brother Ronen in particular providing excellent support for the frankly incredible Maureen Lipman.

Allegra is a good, fun comedy play with a remarkable, lovable character at its heart. It's a comforting show - like going to the theatre and receiving a warm hug. And just like those classic old-school TV sitcoms, it's full of witty humour, unforgettable characters and quirky silliness. ★★★☆☆

Allegra is at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow until Saturday 27 June. It then continues on UK tour before heading to London's West End.