RuPaul Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard is to star in the World Premiere of Savage, a brand-new comedy and drag extravaganza, inspired by the life of the Blonde Bombsite herself, Lily Savage, written by multi-award-winning Jonathan Harvey.
Created with his blessing, Savage is a bold and deeply moving new play drawing on both O’Grady’s extraordinary life and his autobiographies that tells the story behind the creation of Lily Savage. The production will receive its world premiere on 13 February 2027 at Curve Leicester before a short tour prior to transferring to London’s West End.
Speaking during the initial development of Savage, before his passing, O’Grady said, “I’m delighted Jonathan Harvey has agreed to write the script, I really am, as he’s perfect for this and he’s such a great writer.”
Savage combines razor-sharp wit, unexpected tenderness, and plenty of peroxide, in an intimate portrait of a singular talent and the world that made him.
The show follows O’Grady’s journey from the streets of Merseyside to the heart of London’s club scene, where, armed with little more than his wits and a wig, he began carving out a place for himself. From humble roots and an unassuming start emerged Lily Savage: the fearless, foul-mouthed alter ego who would defy convention and win the hearts of millions. Funny, raw, and full of heart, this is the story of how Paul became Lily and how Lily became a British icon.
Harvey says, “I was so thrilled when Paul gave me the opportunity to turn his life story into a stage show. I first saw Lily in a scuzzy gay bar in West London in the late 80s and laughed ‘til I hurt, so it’s an honour indeed to bring his story and the colourful escapades of the blonde bombsite herself to life. This is one of those few shows that I’m involved in where I can go ‘You need to come. It’s really good’… because the zinging one-liners are all his. It’s so sad he’s not here to see it, but hopefully this will be a fitting testament to everything he achieved, and a cracking night out full of humour and heart.”
The world premiere production will be directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster who, with Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford says, “Paul was a generational talent, and we are honoured to have the opportunity to work on this hilarious, heartfelt and electrifying new play by the mighty Jonathan Harvey, which celebrates Paul’s life, legacy and Lily.
“Jonathan is one of our finest writers and alongside Paul’s husband André, manager Joan and our co-producers, we are indebted to them all for trusting us to tell this story. From the streets of Liverpool to the sharp tongue and stiletto heels of Lily Savage, Paul’s is a remarkable and utterly unique story. We know our audiences in Leicester will laugh loudly, be deeply moved and reminded why Paul O’Grady remains one of the most beloved and revered entertainers this country will ever produce.”
Tour dates are: 13 February-6 March Leicester, Curve | 16-20 March Liverpool Playhouse | 23-27 March Lowry, Salford | 30 March-3 April | 6-10 April Theatre Royal Bath | 13-17 April Norwich Theatre Royal 20-24 April Birmingham Hippodrome.
Full details and tickets HERE
