Allegra

Harold Pinter Theatre

Playing until 8th August 2026

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Photo credit: Marc Brenner

{PR Gifted ticket}

Dame Maureen Lipman, the much-loved television of the 1990s, plays Allegra, a joyful woman who lives her life as though she were in her own private cabaret. She sings everywhere she goes: at home, in the butcher's queue, in restaurants and even at the hairdresser's. A single word can trigger a song in Allegra's mind, and she happily invites the audience to join in.

However, her spontaneous serenades begin to irritate some of her neighbours, and she soon finds herself banned from both the hairdresser's and the local petrol station.

Her younger brother, Ronen (John Middleton), visits her regularly and grows increasingly concerned about her wellbeing. There is no food in the house, Allegra sleeps all day and stays awake all night, and he believes she needs help. Enter Anna (Elizabeth Bower), a professional carer.

Middleton strikes exactly the right note as a loving and devoted brother who is torn between frustration and admiration for his eccentric sister. It is at this point that we realise Allegra's behaviour is more than simple eccentricity: she is gradually losing her connection with the world around her.

Anna quickly enters Allegra's unique world. She becomes far more than a carer, evolving into an assistant, confidante and friend. The bond created by Lipman and Bower that highlights the relationship between the two women is both immediate and genuinely moving.

But this is also when trouble arrives. Several of Allegra's neighbours have complained about her incessant singing and reported her to the police.

PC Rogers (Bailey Patrick), arrives at her door with unwelcome news. Although the character is bound by professional duty, Patrick delivers several scene-stealing moments and some of the play's sharpest laughs.

The neighbourhood objects to the disturbance caused by Allegra's constant singing. For Allegra, however, the issue is about far more than noise. What begins as an eccentric comedy gradually reveals a far more poignant heart, shifting from absurd humour to drama. The play raises an important question: should we change who we are to satisfy society, or should we remain true to ourselves, even when we are different?

The play captures not only Allegra's eccentricities but also her vulnerabilities, and Lipman delivers a beautifully judged performance.

Although the question is compelling, the script is rather formulaic, and the ending becomes predictable long before the final scene. The main weakness lies in the pacing. Some jokes are repeated too often, while the rhythm feels uneven, lingering over repetitive scenes before rushing through key plot developments. Dementia, one of the play's central themes, is treated only superficially, leaving the audience wondering whether it would have been stronger had it either explored the subject in greater depth or omitted it altogether.

That said, if you are looking for a light and enjoyable evening with an excellent cast, Allegra is well worth seeing. You'll laugh, you'll hum along to the songs, and you'll leave the theatre with a smile.

Creatives

Writer: Peter Quilter

Director and Choreographer: Stephen Mear

Producers: Thomas Hopkins, Rob Kelly