Get ready to experience the untamed spirit of Lily Savage like never before! A thrilling new theatrical production, 'Savage', is set to take centre stage at the Curve Theatre Leicester in February, with its sights firmly fixed on a subsequent West End run. This electrifying play is a no-holds-barred exploration of Paul O'Grady's formative years, tracing his awe-inspiring transformation from care worker to drag queen sensation.
'Savage' boasts the unenviable task of stepping into the shoes of Danny Beard, the acclaimed winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, who has been entrusted with bringing Lily Savage to life. With both excitement and trepidation, Beard takes on the challenge of embodying a 'national treasure', acknowledging O'Grady's unparalleled appeal across diverse demographics and communities.
Playwright Jonathan Harvey, renowned for his work on 'Beautiful Thing' and 'Gimme Gimme Gimme', masterfully weaves together a narrative that delves into a bygone era of drag performance. He aims to educate younger generations about the historical context and the trailblazers whose innovative spirit contemporary drag queens build upon today. Harvey highlights Lily Savage as a multifaceted performer – singer, comedian, and captivating presence capable of holding an audience spellbound for an hour – starkly contrasting with the more 'Americanised' lip-sync aesthetic often seen in modern drag shows.
'Savage' will particularly shine a light on O'Grady's performances during the harrowing AIDS crisis, a period where he fearlessly challenged authorities during raids on gay venues. The narrative also pays poignant tribute to O'Grady's unwavering bravery and compassion as he regularly visited men dying of AIDS-related illnesses in hospital, offering them solidarity and comfort before effective treatments were available.
What makes 'Savage' truly special is the unique aspect of its creation: Paul O'Grady himself reviewed the initial draft just months before his passing. Harvey expressed gratitude for this rare opportunity, confirming that O'Grady was delighted with the script, much of which drew directly from his autobiographies. The playwright notes an 'embarrassment of riches' in terms of material available, making the writing process an 'absolute joy'. After O'Grady's passing, the project took on a more poignant tone, transforming into a heartfelt tribute honouring a dearly loved figure.
The play concludes with Lily Savage's fictional retirement in 2005, though as Harvey subtly hints, this did little to halt O'Grady's meteoric rise to becoming one of the UK's most recognised broadcasters. At the time of his death at 67, O'Grady was still actively working, with plans for new programmes, cementing his legacy as a true British entertainment icon.