A new comedy based on the life of Paul O’Grady and the creation of his drag persona Lily Savage will premiere at Curve Leicester next February before embarking on a nationwide tour. The production features Danny Beard in the lead role and is written by Jonathan Harvey with O’Grady’s blessing.

Savage, penned by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, will open at Curve Leicester on 13 February 2027, running through to 6 March, before touring major UK venues including Liverpool Playhouse and Birmingham Hippodrome. The piece charts O’Grady’s journey from his Merseyside roots to London’s club scene where Lily Savage emerged as a “fearless, foul-mouthed alter ego.”

Danny Beard, known from Britain’s Got Talent and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season four, has been cast as O’Grady. Beard’s stage work includes Wolverhampton Grand’s 2025 pantomime Sleeping Beauty and the UK tour of Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief Musical.

Curve artistic director Nikolai Foster, directing the production, described O’Grady as a “generational talent” and praised the play as “hilarious, heartfelt and electrifying.” The production is co-produced by ROYO, Curve, Hope Mill Theatre and Eilene Davidson.

O’Grady expressed his support for the project before his death, calling Jonathan Harvey “perfect” for writing the script. Harvey said it was “an honour” to bring O’Grady’s story and Lily Savage’s escapades to the stage, emphasising that the show features O’Grady’s own “zinging one-liners.”

The tour itinerary after Leicester includes Liverpool Playhouse (16–20 March), The Lowry in Salford (23–27 March), Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre (30 March–3 April), Theatre Royal Bath (6–10 April), Norwich Theatre Royal (13–17 April), and Birmingham Hippodrome (20–24 April) before moving to London’s West End, dates yet to be confirmed.

Further casting and creative team members will be announced in due course, as the production prepares to celebrate the legacy of one of British comedy and drag’s most beloved figures.