Oxford Playhouse is thrilled to host the critically acclaimed West End hit comedy Glorious! on its stage this coming week. This sparkling production tells the true story of American socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world’, who appeared in classical recitals in New York City, most famously at Carnegie Hall.
Stage and screen star Wendi Peters, best known for her long-running role as Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street, will bring to life the iconic Florence in the Olivier Award-nominated production. Glorious! will play on the Oxford stage from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 April.
Though mocked for her flamboyant costumes and decidedly off-key voice, she became a cult figure throughout the early 20th century. The play celebrates her journey as she prepares for her concerts, builds an unlikely friendship with her accompanist, Cosme, and defies her critics to follow her dream.
The actor’s further credits include Doctors (BBC), Midsomer Murders (ITV), Hetty Feather, Hacker Time and Sadie J (CBBC). Wendi has also competed on various shows including Soapstar Superstar (ITV), Celebrity Mastermind (BBC), Celebrity Masterchef (BBC) and Celebrity Sewing Bee for Children in Need (BBC) which she won. Wendi was most recently seen as Mother Superior in the UK Tour of Sister Act. Peters said: “I’m so thrilled to be visiting Florence again, and to bring GLORIOUS! to all the beautiful theatres around the UK in 2026. It’s fun, heart-breaking but, above all, glorious!!”
She will be joined on stage by Matthew James Morrison (EastEnders) as Cosme McMoon, Caroline Gruber (Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall) as Florence’s long-suffering maid, Maria and society busybody Mrs Verrinder-Gedge, and Sioned Jones (Thirteen; Women Beware Women; All’s Well That Ends Well, National Theatre) as Florence’s best friend and biggest fan, Dorothy.
Glorious! is written by Peter Quilter (End of the Rainbow and the movie, Judy) and directed by Kirk Jameson (Song From Far Away, Madagascar the Musical) with musical supervision by Nick Barstow, set and costume design by Ingrid Hu, casting by Harry Blumenau CDG CDA, lighting design by Mike Robertson, sound design and assistant musical supervision by Mark Goggins, Italian translation and dialect coaching by Judith Blazer, costume supervision by Lorraine Parry, wig design by Helen Keane and artwork by FEAST Creative.
The production Is presented by Thomas Hopkins (This Bitter Earth – Soho Theatre, The Talented Mr Ripley – UK tour, Rose starring Maureen Lipman The Ambassadors Theatre), Craig Haffer and Sherry Wright (Tony Award winning producers of This Bitter Earth at Soho Theatre, Midnight In Garden of God and Evil – pre Broadway, West End and Broadway production of Plaza Suite at The Hudson & The Savoy Theatre).
Glorious! first wowed audiences twenty years ago in its original West End production starring Maureen Lipman, before coming to the big screen in the glittering film adaptation starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant.
To book tickets, contact the Box Office on 01865 305305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com
Images (c) Chris Davis
