ALLEGRA at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre

Maureen Lipman, John Middleton, Elizabeth Bower and Bailey Patrick photo Marc Brenner

Never mind the heat, never mind the feeling of lethargy. It’s time to put on your dancing shoes and prepare to be utterly transfixed. Allegra, starring the iconic British treasure Maureen Lipman DBE and the wonderful cast of John Middleton, Elizabeth Bower and Bailey Patrick, played at London’s  Harold Pinter Theatre and it was an evening of pure enjoyment.

Outside of the venue was a lavishly decorated white taxi invoking smiles and fun before we even entered the theatre. And from that moment, the mood and atmosphere positively strengthened. The expectant audience took to their seats only to leap from them as Maureen Lipman took to the stage. There was no doubt we were thrilled to see this remarkable actress in the titular role and were up for an evening of whimsy and joy.

Peter Quilter’s script was a hoot from beginning to end, with giggly and laugh out loud moments of comedy. That isn’t to say it was just two hours of laughs. Beneath the humour was a core premise which was extraordinarily moving and carried us along on its tide of empathy.  

Allegra is the central character whose energy is boundless. We take this quirky character to our hearts as she darts around the stage dancing and singing as tunes jump into her head. Now I must own up here. I am notorious for doing likewise. My friends roll their eyes as I link a phrase spoken to a song and warble the first few lines. Singing brings happiness, a smile and that is part of the problem in this delightfully charming play. In a society that judges, disapproves and in short is totally negative, Allegra’s positivity annoys. And so she must take her tablets, subdue her energy and desist if she is to ‘fit in’.

There are so many who are labelled as ADHD or OCD and prescribed medications to calm their behaviour. But watching Allegra, so beautifully directed by Stephen Mear, we must wonder why society is unable to celebrate individuality and differences. ‘Why do the people out there want me to stop being happy?’ Why indeed.

Her brother Ronen points out it is because the new ‘normal’ is to be unhappy and Allegra does not fit that mould. But how delightful that there are those who sport joy and individuality. And so, despite the wonderful laugh out loud humour, we cheer and applaud at the criticism of our grey society. As Allegra sports, ‘I am not the cause – I’m the solution’.  

Maureen Lipman’s performance is nothing short of fabulous, deserving of the tumultuous applause from an audience who instantly took her to their hearts. Singing, dancing – wow, you have to hand it to this feisty dame.

The supporting cast are exquisite. Ronen, played by John Middleton, is the younger brother who is protective of Allegra but is exhausted by the responsibility and bored in his own life. He is caring, gentle and adores his older sister but is desperately trying to ‘normalise’ her, to restrain her until his own light bulb moment when realisation takes over. As carer, Anna, Elizabeth Bower brings reason and strong support. Her anger at society is audibly expressed and she is cheered by the audience. Officer Rogers, played by Bailey Patrick, brings some fun moments and adds comedy and slapstick to the performance. A veritable quartet whose comic timing and transitions from joy to sadness are not only spoken but deeply visible.

Bailey Patrick and Maureen Lipman photo Marc Brenner

Justin Williams had fully considered the set, inviting us into the domesticity of the family with the daily clutter and personal pieces but also bringing glorious colour and spectacle into the escapism of Allegra. She sings outwardly but there are moments when she drifts into her own world, where the stage transforms with shooting stars and rows of tulips. An eruption and blossoming of her mind and her joy.

With two one hour acts, this is a production that ensnares you. Laughter, sadness, empathy. It is all there. Be prepared to use your vocal cords in a glorious singalong with Lipman to the words of ‘Take Me Out To The Ball Game.’ We loved her and the rafters rose with our voices. Of course we would join in – Allegra has invited us.

If you want an evening of fun, joy and sunshine do go to Stephen Mear’s/Peter Quilter’s Allegra. It will brighten your day as well as opening your mind. ‘Rather than giving me things to bring me down, we should be prescribing to the world something to bring them up!’Hear hear to that.

As Dame Maureen 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’’

Listings

Allegra playing at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN, UK until Saturday 8 August 2026

Two one hour acts, with a 20 minute interval

Photography: Marc Brenner