Lily Savage musical from beloved Coronation Street writer confirmed for 2027 and will tell life story of late Paul O’Grady

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A new play celebrating the life and career of Paul O’Grady, focusing on his beloved character Lily Savage, will premiere in 2027.

I first encountered this incredible character way back in 1978, when the performer started developing it at a pub in Camden. For years, they were a huge part of the London drag community, really honing their craft. It was amazing to watch, and then they eventually transitioned to television full-time – it felt like a natural progression after all that groundwork!

This upcoming comedy series tells the story of how O’Grady went from growing up in Merseyside to finding fame in London’s nightlife, and how he developed the bold, outspoken, and unique persona that eventually made him a beloved figure across the country.

The show was written by Jonathan Harvey, a highly acclaimed writer known for his work on Coronation Street. He even had the opportunity to present the idea to Paul O’Grady before he passed away in 2023.

Before his passing, the comedian expressed his excitement about Jonathan Harvey writing the script, saying Harvey was the ideal choice and a wonderfully talented writer.

After the recent news, Harvey shared his excitement about adapting Paul’s life story for the stage. He first encountered Lily in a small, lively bar in West London in the late 1980s and was immediately struck by her humor. He feels privileged to now share Paul’s story and Lily’s vibrant adventures with audiences.

This show is truly special, and I rarely feel so confident recommending it. The funniest lines are all thanks to him, and it’s heartbreaking he isn’t here to witness its success. I hope this performance serves as a wonderful tribute to his talent and provides a genuinely funny and heartwarming evening for everyone.

I’m so excited for ‘Savage’! It’s going to premiere in 2027 at the Leicester Curve, and then it’s touring! We’ll get to see it at the Liverpool Playhouse from March 16th to 20th, then at The Lowry in Salford, Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, Norwich Theatre Royal, and Birmingham Hippodrome throughout March and April. Best of all, it’s heading to London’s West End after the tour – I can’t wait!

Danny Beard, known for winning RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, will be playing Lily Savage. They’ve previously appeared in shows like Hollyoaks, The Traitors: Uncloaked, and Celebrity Big Brother, and have performed in stage productions including Sleeping Beauty and The Lightning Thief musical tour.

I’m really excited about this new show! It’s going to be directed by Nikolai Foster, who I know from his fantastic work on things like Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, and The Sound of Music. They haven’t announced the full cast or when tickets will be available yet, but I’m already looking forward to it!

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Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-06-15 17:34