Glorious

In 1940''s New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect.

Known as ''the first lady of the sliding scale'', she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.

Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence''s charity recitals and extravagent balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.

Glorious! is published to tie-in with the premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, starring Maureen Lipman.

''Never less than riveting'' Scotsman

''Comically sublime'' Guardian

''Delightful and often blissfully funny ... This is a cult hit if ever I saw one'' Daily Telegraph

''Lunatically funny comedy ... Maureen Lipman gives a virtuoso performance, glittering, hilarious and technically breathtaking'' Sunday Times