WORLD PREMIERE FROM FEBRUARY 2027
‘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. A drag extravaganza.
A brand-new comedy about the Blonde Bombsite herself, Lily Savage.
Inspired by the life of Paul O’Grady and created with his blessing, SAVAGE is a bold and deeply moving new play, making its world premiere in 2027 at Curve Leicester, prior to London’s West End.
Before the spotlight, there was a working-class boy from Birkenhead with a sharp tongue, thick skin and something to say.
Written by multi-award-winning Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme, Coronation Street, Beautiful Thing), the show follows Paul’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.
Starring RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard in the title role, and directed by Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), 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.
Funny, raw, and full of heart, this is the story of how Paul became Lily and how Lily became a British icon.
Andre Portasio (Paul O’Grady’s husband), Jonathan Harvey (Playwright), Danny Beard (Lily Savage)
PRE-WEST END DATES
30 MARCH - 3 APRIL
CANTERBURY MARLOWE
ON SALE 3 AUGUST 2026
CAST
Danny Beard is one of the UK’s best-known drag talents, celebrated for their sharp-witted humour and powerhouse singing. In 2025, Danny entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, bearing all – outside of drag. Their openness and quick wit resonated with viewers, earning them a second-place finish and a whole new fanbase.
After honing their craft on the cabaret and club circuit, Danny went on to compete in Karaoke Club: Drag Edition, before entering, and winning, the fourth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. They made history as the first ever bearded queen to be crowned in a RuPaul-judged franchise! Since being crowned, Danny has hosted their own BBC Three after-show for Drag Race UK, appeared on Hollyoaks, and The Traitors Uncloaked, and more. Danny co-hosted The Gossip Gays podcast and has hosted their own show on BBC Radio 1.
On stage, Danny brings high camp and heart to every live performance. Their theatre shows feature a full live band, and a signature mix of humour, song, and storytelling. Their show Straight Expectations played to packed houses across the UK and earned multiple five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Danny even found time to share a stage with Graham Norton at London’s O₂ Arena!
With further casting to be announced
CREATIVES
Jonathan Harvey comes from Liverpool and is the multi award winning writer of the play and film ‘Beautiful Thing’, the Bafta nominated sitcom ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ and ‘Beautiful People’ (Best Comedy: Banff TV Festival).
He has written over 20 stage plays including ‘Corrie!’, ‘Canary’, ‘Hushabye Mountain’, ‘Babies’, ‘Boom Bang A Bang’ and ‘Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club’. He also wrote the 2001 stage musical ‘Closer to Heaven’ with the Pet Shop Boys. His theatre work has won him an Evening Standard Award, two Manchester Evening News Awards, the George Devine Award and the John Whiting Award. His TV writing has earned him a Writers Guild of Great Britain Award and two British Soap Awards.
His TV work includes Call The Midwife, Shameless, Rev, The Catherine Tate Show, Tracey Ullman’s Show and At Home With The Braithwaites. He has written over 300 episodes of Coronation Street.
Nikolai is Artistic Director at Curve, Leicester, one of the UK’s leading regional theatres, described as “world class” by The Daily Telegraph and a “powerhouse” by The Times.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Nikolai grew up in North Yorkshire and trained at Drama Centre London and at the Crucible, Sheffield. He has created work for many of the UK’s major producing theatres, touring houses and international venues.
Nikolai has been director on attachment at the Sheffield Crucible, the Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre Studio and served as an Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse. In 2024, Nikolai was awarded an Honorary Doctor of the Arts by Leicester’s De Montfort University for his contribution to theatre in Leicester. At Curve, Nikolai has worked on numerous musical revivals, new plays, musicals and championed emerging artists. Many of the Made at Curve productions Nikolai has directed have transferred to London, toured the UK and internationally.
