Allegra by Peter Quilter, Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond, London TW9 | until 13 June 2026. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

Photo credit: Marc Brenner

Allegra

by Peter Quilter

Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond, London TW9 | until 13 June 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

“Marvellous Maureen.”

Without Maureen Lipman this would be one more play on the impact dementia can have on the elderly by Peter Quilter with precious little to say. With her it is a joyous occasion watching someone whose skills as a comedienne are used to the full. She alone is worth those five stars although she does get good support from the other three members of the cast. Lipman made her name decades ago as a member of theatre of comedy company in See How They Run and followed that with years of splendid performances to treasure of which her Allegra is one. Allegra lives alone, is losing her mind slowly, not taking her medication, and has started wandering the village in which she lives singing to people and people are getting fed up with her, especially her neighbours treated to Ave Maria in the middle of the night. The police get involved; she acquires a carer and is taken to court wherever who is presiding imposes a tougher drug regime which sends her into an almost catatonic state. But the house next door realise that life without her is dull – they want their Allegra back. It is a joy watching how Lipman creates her, the way she manipulates the audience – at one point everyone joins her in song – and manages at eighty to sustain a two hour play which would have been better as a 90 minute straight through piece. The set is handsome although just why she has a walk-in fridge is anyone's guess and the overall production values are fine and Lipman gets to wear some rather dashing clothes as well. There are also some jolly songs ranging from Tiptoe Through the Tulips by way of born Free to for some reason Take Me Out to the Ball Game which really doesn't fit into what Allegra would have chosen for her hit list being essentially an American song rather than one for someone in an English village. There never was a British policeman like that, however, and why the carer is Czech is far from clear well though both parts are played. As her brother unable to take her in – his wife can't stand Allegra – John Middleton is very good indeed and they back up Lipman perfectly. But what it boils down to is without her there would be no show. With her it is a five-star funny if peculiar affair, more sit com than a play. As the latter it is worth about 2 stars. Allegra has been on a nationwide tour which is continuing and later in the summer will end up with a West End run putting Lipman back where she belongs.

Cast

Maureen Lipman – Allegra

John Middleton – Ronen

Elisabeth Bower – Anna

Officer Rogers – Bailey Patrick

Creatives

Director & Choreographer – Stephen Mear

Set & Costume Designer – Justin Williams

Lighting Designer – Sam Biondolillo

Sound Designer – Russell Ditcchfield

Video Designer – Ben Bull for Big Tele

Music Director – Livi Van Warmelo