Paul O’Grady’s extraordinary life inspires new Jonathan Harvey Play, ‘Savage’

Artwork for Savage and Andre Portasio, Jonathan Harvey & Danny Beard, credit Danny Kaan.

A brand-new comedy and drag extravaganza about the Blonde Bombsite herself, Lily Savage, will make its World Premiere in 2027. The new play has been written by multi-award-winning Jonathan Harvey (Gimme Gimme Gimme, Coronation Street, Beautiful Thing) and stars RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard in the title role. Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) will direct the production.

Savage is inspired by the life of the late Paul O'Grady, and created with his blessing. Charting the 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. It will be a bold and deeply moving production which draws on both Paul’s extraordinary life and his autobiographies to tell the story behind the creation of Lily Savage.

Expect 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. 

Speaking during the initial development of SAVAGE, before his passing, 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.”

Further casting and creatives to be announced. Savage will open at the Curve Theatre in Leicester on 13 February before a short UK tour. There are plans for a run in the West End in the future.