Lily Savage was a fearless, foul-mouthed drag queen who defied convention and won the hearts of millions. Now, a brand-new comedy play inspired by the life of the late Paul O’Grady is set to follow in the footsteps of those iconic high heels.
Before potentially heading to London’s West End, Savage will embark on a limited UK tour, including a week-long run at Norwich Theatre Royal in April 2027. Our Marketing Manager, Ashley, recently attended an early production workshop for a sneak peek at what audiences can expect.
Prepare for poignancy and brilliant comedy
The story follows Paul’s journey from the streets of Merseyside to the heart of London’s club scene before the highs of primetime TV fame – a journey from humble roots captured through many hilarious, but sometimes hard-hitting, moments in time.
Get ready for familiar music, famous faces and cultural references that lovingly define the era as this working-class boy from Birkenhead takes on the world of showbiz with a sharp tongue and thick skin. Also prepare for how Thatcher’s polarising politics and the devastation of the AIDS crisis impacted Paul and his friends.
A script in safe hands
The play was created with Paul’s blessing and penned by multi-award-winning writer Jonathan Harvey, known for Gimme Gimme Gimme, Beautiful Thing and some of Coronation Street’s most memorable comic moments.
It’s packed with punchy one-liners – that’s a given! However, less expected is how some of those lines are used to cut through the tension of the more heartbreaking moments in the play, and in doing so subtly reinforcing that “oh well, on-with-the-show” attitude Lily embodied.
For Norwich Theatre audiences who enjoyed the fun and energy of recent shows such as Kinky Boots and Legally Blonde, the creative team behind this play also includes Director Nikolai Foster and producers ROYO.
Is this Danny Beard’s perfect role?
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard appears to be the perfect casting for this iconic title role.
In a recent interview with Attitude magazine, Danny praised Lily for “doing more for UK drag than anyone in the world”.
“Me being from Liverpool and moving to just by where Lily grew up in Birkenhead, we’ve got that Northern charm. And I think good drag needs to say something, and Lily and Paul were never shy to be political and say what they needed to say.” He continued.
Based on the evidence so far, armed with her accent, razor-sharp delivery and now plenty of peroxide, Danny has everything it takes to do Lily proud.
Best enjoyed with your nearest and dearest
Just like Lily’s comedy, Savage has something to offer all generations – whether you grew up watching Paul O’Grady, love drag and queer culture, or simply fancy a night of big laughs and plenty of heart.
It’s a chance to share a bit of nostalgia, discover the story behind an iconic performer and enjoy a comedy drama that doesn’t shy away from the serious moments.
So, whether you’re planning a night out with friends, treating a parent or grandparent, or introducing someone to the world of Lily Savage, or the first time, there’s so much to love about this exciting new show!
