At the centre of it all is Dame Maureen Lipman in a script that feels tailor made for her. As Allegra, a woman whose mind is forever occupied and accompanied by song, Lipman creates a flamboyant, unapologetic character with neurodivergent tendencies, she tells you exactly how it is and you love her for it. Lipman whose career spans over decades possesses the rare confidence of an actor with nothing left to prove providing us with a stand out performance as she glides the audience through the story. The emotional truth she brings to the role is touching, you see friends and family in this character making her relatable and every burst of song, every moment of whimsical distraction is grounded in genuine humanity, making Allegra impossible not to root for. Her comic timing is spot on leaving the audience belly laughing, making this show unforgettable. 

John Middleton provides excellent support as Ronen, Allegra's long suffering brother. Middleton’s scenes with Lipman carry much of the play's emotional weight and establish a believable sibling relationship filled with warmth, frustration and loyalty. Elizabeth Bower brings sincerity and compassion to Anna, the carer who gradually learns to see the world through Allegra's eyes. Bower's understated performance offers a welcome counterbalance to the larger comic moments, while Bailey Patrick delivers some of the evening's most enjoyable laughs as Officer Rogers. Patrick combines authority and bewilderment in equal measure, creating a character that becomes increasingly drawn into Allegra's unconventional orbit.