A new stage play, titled “Savage,” is being developed about the life of broadcaster and comedian Paul O’Grady and his drag persona Lily Savage. The Guardian, HuffPost UK and PinkNews report that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series four winner Danny Beard will play O’Grady in the lead role, stepping into Lily Savage’s “heels” as the production follows his journey from working-class roots to national fame. The play is written by Jonathan Harvey, whose work includes the TV comedy “Gimme Gimme Gimme,” and it is described as charting Paul’s rise from early beginnings and club life in London to later mainstream success. Sources say Harvey previously worked briefly with O’Grady on the project before O’Grady died in 2023 at the age of 67. HuffPost UK quotes official promotional material about Paul’s start as he carves out a place for himself with “little more than his wits and a wig,” leading to the creation of Lily Savage. The production is scheduled to premiere in February 2027 at Leicester’s Curve, then tour the UK and arrive in London’s West End. (Exact premiere date is reported as 13 February by PinkNews.)
Danny Beard to star as Paul O’Grady in new play ‘Savage’
A new stage play, titled “Savage,” is being developed about the life of broadcaster and comedian Paul O’Grady and his drag persona Lily Savage. The Guardian, HuffPost UK and PinkNews report that RuPau...
- Danny Beard, a RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series four winner, is cast as Paul O’Grady in the play “Savage.”
- The play is written by Jonathan Harvey.
- The story follows O’Grady’s rise and the development of his drag persona Lily Savage.
- The play is scheduled to premiere in February 2027 at Leicester’s Curve, then tour the UK and reach London’s West End.
- Paul O’Grady died in 2023, and Harvey had worked briefly with him on the project before his death.
Danny Beard, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series four, has been announced to star as Paul O’Grady in the upcoming play Savage. Inspired by the life of O’Grady and his beloved drag persona Lily Savage, the play follows his journey from working-class roots to becoming a drag icon. Savage will premiere on 13 February, […] The post Danny Beard to star as Paul O’Grady in new play Savage appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.
2 months agoSavage, a play about Paul O’Grady’s rise to national treasure, to premiere in February The GuardianNew play 'Savage' inspired by British icon Lily Savage to premiere in 2027 London TheatreNew Lily Savage play to embark on tour, with initial casting revealed WhatsOnStageNew Lily Savage play announced with huge star as Paul O'Grady facebook.comDrag Race Winner Danny Beard To Take The Lead In New Play About Paul O'Grady's Life HuffPost UK
2 months ago‘Savage’ has been penned by a former ‘Coronation Street’ writer
2 months agoJonathan Harvey and Danny Beard outside the iconic Royal Vauxhall TavernFormer RuPaul’s Drag Race UK champion Danny Beard has been unveiled as the lead in a new play about the late Paul O’Grady.On Monday morning, it was announced that Danny would be starring as Paul in Savage, named after the late TV personality’s drag alter-ego, Lily Savage.The play was penned by screenwriter and playwright Jonathan Harvey, whose biggest credits have included Beautiful To Heaven, Closer To Heaven and the award-winning TV comedy Gimme Gimme Gimme.Jonathan had briefly worked with Paul on the play, prior to the Bafta winner’s death in 2023 at the age of 67.Paul O'Grady pictured in 2015Paul had previously said of the project: “I’m delighted Jonathan has agreed to write the script, I really am, as he’s perfect for this and he’s such a great writer.”An official synopsis teases: “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.”Speaking in a promotional video, recorded at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, where Paul previously performed as Lily, Danny called the role a “dream come true”.View this post on InstagramJonathan enthused: “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.”Lily Savage“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,” he added.Savage will premiere at Leicester’s Curve theatre in February 2027, before touring the UK and arriving in London’s West End.MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:Alan Cumming Calls On Fans To Help Make Charity Campaign Tip Toe's 'Lasting Legacy'Harry Styles Pays Touching Tribute To David Hockney During Wembley Stadium ShowGraham Norton Says Interviewing Madonna For New BBC Special Was 'A Thrill'
2 months agoNew play 'Savage' inspired by British icon Lily Savage to premiere in 2027 London TheatreSavage, a play about Paul O’Grady’s rise to national treasure, to premiere in February The GuardianNew Lily Savage play to embark on tour, with initial casting revealed WhatsOnStageNew play inspired by life of Paul O’Grady to star former Drag Race winner Belfast TelegraphNew Lily Savage play announced with huge star as Paul O'Grady facebook.com
2 months agoRuPaul’s Drag Race winner Danny Beard Play to step into Lily Savage’s heels in Jonathan Harvey’s playFew showbusiness careers begin in a towering blond beehive in the gay pubs of Vauxhall and end with MPs pausing prime minister’s questions to pay tribute.But a new play inspired by the life of Paul O’Grady will chart the beginning of that unlikely journey from care worker to Lily Savage, with her dextrous use of expletives, to national treasure presenting heartwarming teatime TV shows about rescue dogs with Queen Camilla. Continue reading...
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