UK News: Maureen Lipman to star in Glorious

Maureen Lipman will be playing the worst singer in the world on stage at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre this Autumn in a new play, Glorious, based on the life of Florence Foster Jenkins. The play will receive its world premiere in Birmingham from 2nd - 17th September.

Glorious, written by Peter Quilter is the true story of the eccentric American, Florence Foster Jenkins, otherwise known as the 'socialite soprano'. During the Thirties and Forties, the somewhat delusional singer made a career out of doing concerts, although she couldn't hit a single note. The 'dire diva of din' recorded many records and perhaps her most famous recording was of Mozart's Queen of the Night aria. After doing a series of private concerts at the Ritz Carlton in New York the singer braved Carnegie Hall, which sold out months in advance.

As one of Britian's favourite actors, Maureen Lipman, has been a regular face on television and in the theatre for over 30 years. She has found fame with her role as Beattie in a series of telephone commercials, and portrayed legendary women such as writer Enid Blyton, comedian Joyce Grenfell, and infamous literary agent Peggy Ramsay, as well as selling six million copies of her novels worldwide. Her recent theatre appearances include the West End musical Thoroughly Modern Millie and the Old Vic panto, Aladdin, alongside Sir Ian McKellan.

Maureen Lipman will be playing Florence Foster Jenkins, in the new play Glorious by Peter Quilter, directed by Alan Strachan at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 2 -17 September 2005. Tickets will be on sale from Friday 4 March 2005 and can be bought by calling the Box Office: 0121 236 4455. The production will transfer to the West End following Birmingham and is co-produced with Michael Codron.