Stage and screen star Wendi Peters will bring one of theatre’s most eccentric true stories to Oxford next month as the hit comedy Glorious! arrives at the Oxford Playhouse.
The Olivier Award-nominated production runs from Tuesday 14 April to Saturday 18 April 2026, as part of a UK tour marking the show’s 20th anniversary.
Best known for her role as Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street, Peters takes on the role of Florence Foster Jenkins, the famously tone-deaf socialite who became one of the most unlikely stars of classical music.
The true story behind Glorious!
The play tells the remarkable real-life story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York socialite who staged lavish concerts despite being widely regarded as “the worst singer in the world”.
Performing at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Jenkins became a cult figure, attracting audiences who were as entertained by her enthusiasm as her singing.
Glorious! follows her journey as she prepares for her performances, builds a close friendship with her accompanist Cosme McMoon, and refuses to let criticism stand in the way of her ambition.
A returning hit for a new generation
Originally staged in the West End starring Maureen Lipman, the play later inspired the film Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant.
This latest touring production sees Wendi Peters reprise the role following a successful run at Hope Mill Theatre.
She 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, heartbreaking but, above all, glorious.”
Cast and creative team
Peters is joined on stage by:
- Matthew James Morrison (EastEnders) as Cosme McMoon
- Caroline Gruber as Maria and Mrs Verrinder-Gedge
- Sioned Jones as Dorothy
The play is written by Peter Quilter, whose work also inspired the film Judy, and is directed by Kirk Jameson.
What audiences can expect
Glorious! blends comedy with a surprisingly moving story about resilience, self-belief and the joy of performance.
Reviews of the current production have praised Peters’ performance, with The Stage describing it as a “riotously funny revival” driven by a “full-throttle” central performance.
For audiences, it offers a mix of humour, music and character-driven storytelling, centred on one of the most unusual figures in musical history.
Performance details
- Show: Glorious!
- Venue: Oxford Playhouse
- Dates: Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 April 2026
- Starring: Wendi Peters
Full Glorious! UK tour dates
| Dates | Venue | Location |
| 2 – 4 April 2026 | Queen’s Theatre | Barnstaple |
| 7 – 11 April 2026 | Malvern Theatre | Malvern |
| 14 – 18 April 2026 | Oxford Playhouse | Oxford |
| 23 – 25 April 2026 | Haymarket Theatre | Basingstoke |
| 28 April – 2 May 2026 | Everyman Theatre | Cheltenham |
| 5 – 9 May 2026 | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre | Guildford |
| 12 – 16 May 2026 | Hippodrome | Darlington |
| 19 – 23 May 2026 | Belgrade Theatre | Coventry |
| 26 – 30 May 2026 | Theatre Clwyd | Mold |
Why it’s worth seeing
For Oxford audiences, Glorious! offers a rare combination of a recognisable television star, a well-known true story and a proven West End script.
Its short run at the Playhouse, combined with the strength of its central performance, is likely to make it one of the more in-demand theatre events in the city this April.
Tickets are available via the Oxford Playhouse box office on 01865 305305 or at oxfordplayhouse.com.
