New comedy SAVAGE inspired by Paul O’Grady is coming to Liverpool’s Playhouse Theatre

Inspired by the life of Paul O’Grady, the new comedy SAVAGE will make its world premiere in 2027.

The show will be on at Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 March 2027, with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard in the title role.

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres Creative Director Nathan Powell said:

“We’re excited to welcome Paul O’Grady’s much-loved Lily Savage to the Playhouse stage, celebrating a character whose wit, warmth and unmistakable spirit have left a lasting mark on audiences across the country.

This season brings together so much of what we value at the Playhouse, powerful drama, exceptional contemporary dance, family favourites and unforgettable one-night events. From award-winning productions to beloved TV stars, the programme celebrates bold, inclusive storytelling and offers audiences from across Liverpool and beyond a great night out.”

Award-winning Circus Zambia and Wake the Beast present Afronauts on Friday 4 September 2026, tells one of Zambia’s most bittersweet yet hopeful stories through a cosmic clash of circus, theatre, music, dance and space exploration, sharply questioning the true meaning of freedom and global equality.

Five-star comedy sensation from the West End and Laurence Olivier Award winner for Best Comedy, Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of), from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 October 2026. This is followed by Tracy-Ann Oberman’s return to the Playhouse with a new production of Noël Coward’s Present Laughter, running from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October 2026. 

Audiences looking for a chilling night at the theatre can enjoy two horror productions coming to the Playhouse. The Haunting of Hill House, based on the novel by Shirley Jackson, is adapted for the stage by Olivier and BAFTA Award winner Stef Smith and directed by Sky Arts Award winner Martin Constantine, and runs from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 November 2026. Charles Dickens’ nerve-tingling ghostly masterpiece, The Signalman, stars Chris Walker (Doctors, Merseybeat, Playing the Field, The Bill and Coronation Street) and John Burton (Father Brown), alongside James Morley, Bruce and Adam Mort, and comes back to Merseyside from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 January 2027.

Internationally acclaimed choreographer Jasmin Vardimon returns to Liverpool with a groundbreaking new production that echoes the emotional depth of her 2003 breakthrough work Lullaby on Friday 9 October, while innovative theatre company imitating the dog brings Remember Romeo, a tender reimagining of Shakespeare’s enduring love story, to the city from Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 March 2027.

Looking for the perfect half-term treat, families can enjoy Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure by Kristina Stephenson, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the much-loved modern classic. Featuring live music, glorious puppets, interactive storytelling, magical props and plenty of laughs, the show runs from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October 2026. Families can also look forward to the return of Eric Carle’s timeless The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, featuring a menagerie of more than 75 magical larger-than-life puppets, wiggle their way back to Liverpool from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February 2027.

Autumn one-night shows promise plenty of laughs and a great night out. In September, audiences can catch regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show, Scott Bennett with Stuff on Wednesday 9, followed by the return of the sold-out Mike Wozniak: The Bench on Friday 11 due to huge demand and Sindhu Vee’s Swanky on Saturday 12. Later in the month, Daniel Kitson brings his new comedy show Thrum on Wednesday 16, Taskmaster alumnus John Kearns presents his brand-new stand-up show Tilting at Windmills on Thursday 24, and Henry Paker rounds off the month with Pencil Case, featuring live illustration, on Wednesday 30.

October opens with Rhys James’ Chop Logic on Friday 2, followed by an evening of improvised comedy hosted by two of the UK’s masters of improvisation, Paul Merton and Suki Webster, on Saturday 3. Later in the month, Maisie Adam returns with the brand-new show Whatsherface, while Sir Lenny Henry brings his new live show Still At Large to the Playhouse on Saturday 10.

And the laughs don’t stop there, with plenty more familiar faces heading to the Playhouse in November, including Ivo Graham with Orange Crush on Wednesday 11, Nish Kumar: Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy on Thursday 12, Flo & Joan’s With Feeling on Friday 13 and Saturday 14, and Mark Thomas celebrating 40 Years in Stand-Up on Friday 20. The fun continues into 2027 with Sue Perkins bringing The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins on Wednesday 3 March.

Book your tickets now on the Everyman Playhouse website.

Find more theatre events across Liverpool on our calendar.

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