A new play inspired by the life of late TV presenter Paul O’Grady is set to star former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard. The production, titled Savage, takes its name from O’Grady’s iconic drag alter ego Lily Savage, whom Beard will portray. Written by Jonathan Harvey, the play will launch on February 13, 2027, embarking on a UK tour.
O’Grady’s Involvement
Before his death at age 67 in March 2023, O’Grady was actively involved in the play’s development. He expressed his delight at Harvey writing the script, calling him a perfect fit and a great writer. The play draws from O’Grady’s autobiographies to tell the story of how he created the Lily Savage character.
Plot and Setting
Savage follows O’Grady’s journey from his beginnings on Merseyside to the London club scene, leading to national fame. Harvey recalled first seeing Lily Savage in a West London gay bar in the late 1980s and described the play as a fitting testament to O’Grady’s achievements, full of humour and heart.
Tour Dates
The tour begins at Leicester Curve (February 13–March 6, 2025), then moves to Liverpool Playhouse (March 16–20), Salford’s Lowry (March 23–27), Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre (March 30–April 3), Theatre Royal Bath (April 6–10), Norwich Theatre Royal (April 13–17), and concludes at Birmingham Hippodrome (April 20–24).
Danny Beard’s Career
Beard, who won series four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2022, has also appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and Celebrity Big Brother. O’Grady, after rising to fame as Lily, starred in TV series like ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs and The Paul O’Grady Show, and presented BBC’s Blankety Blank as his drag persona.
