A new play inspired by the life of late TV presenter Paul O’Grady is set to tour the country next year.
Savage, which takes its name from O’Grady’s drag alter-ego Lily Savage, will launch at Leicester’s Curve theatre in February before moving on to other cities including Liverpool, Salford and Birmingham.
O’Grady rose to fame in the 1990s with his drag queen persona and went on to present BBC One game show Blankety Blank. He died in March 2023 aged 67.
The play’s writer Jonathan Harvey, said: “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.”
Starring former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, the production is due to open at Leicester Curve on 13 February.
Before his death, Birkenhead-born O’Grady was involved in its creation, which draws from his autobiographies to tell the story of how he developed the character of Lily.
Speaking during the development of Savage before his death, O’Grady said: “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.”