Coming out early 2027 is Savage – a new play based on the life of UK drag legend, Lily Savage. Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard will be playing Lily and the man behind the make up, Paul O’Grady.

Following O-Grady’s life, from his humble roots, the play looks at how he became Lily and how she became a national treasure. Multi-award-winner Jonathan Harvey (Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Beautiful Thing) has written the script, which he started before Paul’s passing in 2023. When work on the production began back then, Paul 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.”

Jonathan himself added, “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 show will debut on 27th February at Curve Leicester and tour the country before heading to London’s West End. For more dates and details see www.savagetheplay.com