Dame Maureen Lipman to embark on tour for first time in over 20 years

The Coronation Street star will take to the stage in Peter Quilter's new comedy play, Allegra.

She will begin her run with a premiere in Brighton on the week of her milestone 80th birthday.

The show will then undertake a run of shows in London's West End.

The tour opens on May 12, 2026.

Written by Tony Award-winner Quilter, the play will centre around a woman whose irrepressible optimism means she cannot stop herself from bursting into song.

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The titular character, Allegra, creates disruption and chaos in her village with her musical outbursts.

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," she added, referencing the serious, socially critical plays of the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.

Quilter described Dame Maureen as "one of the great theatrical treasures of this country", and said: "To have her bring Allegra to life is a joy and an honour."

The play is produced by Thomas Hopkins Productions, an award-winning company founded in 2019, which has put on Broadway shows such as Oedipus and Liberation.

It said: "Working again with Maureen after the remarkable West End success of Rose is an absolute privilege.

"Allegra is sure to be one of UK theatre's highlights of 2026."

Dame Maureen's lengthy CV includes everything from a comedy turn in a BT advert, to a supporting role in the acclaimed comedy-drama Educating Rita, alongside Sir Michael Caine and Dame Julie Walters.

A memorable role for her was in the hit ITV sitcom Agony from 1979 to 1981, playing an agony aunt who dished out advice to others while her personal life was a shambles.

In recent years, the star has also appeared on ITV soap Coronation Street as Evelyn Plummer since 2018, after a brief cameo in 2002.

She was also made a dame by the then-Prince of Wales during a ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2021, for her services to charity, entertainment and the arts.

The actress has been nominated for seven Olivier Awards, having won one 1984 for Best Comedy Performance in See How They Run.

The world premiere of Allegra will open at Theatre Royal Brighton on May 12, 2026.

Further casting announcements are yet to be made.