Allegra at Harold Pinter Theatre

Dame Maureen Lipman brings Peter Quilter’s new comedy, Allegra, to life with a song in her step.

Allegra (Lipman) is always singing. She bursts into vintage showtunes in the petrol station and the bakery, much to everyone else’s vexation. In fact, it annoys the community so much that the police are called several times on Allegra.

Ronen, Allegra’s more serious brother, brings in Anna to help Allegra around the house and hopefully get her to start taking the medicine she’s been prescribed. Although Anna turns out to be more of an enabler, encouraging Allegra’s singing even in the face of a police officer.

Things go from bad to worse as Allegra starts to annoy more and more people in the village, and the establishment tries to shut down her happiness.

Allegra is like an old, forgotten BBC2 sitcom. Pre-interval is the pilot episode, introducing what will become the familiar household set, and the cheesy, colourful and eccentric characters. Post-interval is the bittersweet finale when it was cancelled after only one series.

And like a good sitcom, the jokes come thick and fast. Other than the star, the comedy is very much the best thing going for this show. Quilter’s expert hand at crafting witty repertoire shines through.

Lipman is very much the centre of the piece. Her wonderful performance and comic timing raise the standard and make her a delight to see on stage.

The play takes place entirely in the kitchen-dining room of Allegra’s house, only occasionally transformed with some colourful lights when a song occurs. It’s a lovely, rich set. The bright, mismatched style-over-comfort chairs are a running gag and a good metaphor for Allegra’s personality.

Allegra is a good bit of silly fun, but never really reaches beyond that. The production is sure to put a smile on people’s faces, and fans of Lipman will certainly want to take the chance to see her.

Jim Compton-Hall
Photos: Marc Brenner

Allegra is at Harold Pinter Theatre from 8^th July until 8^th August 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.