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Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  4w, 2m

Based on a true story, this hilarious and heartwarming comedy tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a delusional and joyously happy socialite who, despite having no singing ability, performed enthusiastically for bemused audiences in 1940s New York.

Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee! Laurence Olivier Award as Best New Comedy

Details

Summary

Hilarious comedy of the worst singer in the world. In 1940s 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 heartwarming comedy. For more information, click here.

Find video clips of Glorious in performance around the world here

 
History
Glorious! made its West End premiere at the Duchess Theatre on 3 November 2005. Directed by Alan Strachan, the production starred Maureen Lipman as Florence Foster Jenkins.
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS – An eccentric American lady, 60s/70s
COSME MCMOON – A pianist, early 30s
ST. CLAIR – Florence's English boyfriend, 60s
DOROTHY – Florence's friend, 60s
MARIA – Florence and St Clair's Mexican cook and housemaid
MRS. VERRINDER-GEDGE – An American lady, late middle age
  • Time Period 1940s/WWII
  • Setting New York City, 1944.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy, Play with Music
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Delightful and blissfully funny.” – Daily Telegraph

“Hilarious and touching.” – Daily Mail

“A glittering comedy with a heart... lunatically funny.” – Sunday Times

“In Peter Quilter’s touching play... what begins as a joke becomes a lesson in how to live your dream.” – The Daily Express

“Comically sublime.” – The Guardian

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Women and Show Biz: A Conversation with Playwright Peter Quilter
by Jim Colleran
14 June 2024

From Maureen Lipman to Meryl Streep: The Story of the Worst Singer in the World
by Peter Quilter
18 August 2016

To see more videos of productions of Glorious!, check out Peter Quilter's Vimeo page.

Videos

  • Clip from the Fulton Opera House production youtube thumbnail

    Clip from the Fulton Opera House production

  • Austrian premiere of Glorious! youtube thumbnail

    Austrian premiere of Glorious!

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

Scripts

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Authors

Peter Quilter

Peter Quilter’s plays have been produced in 40 countries around the world and translated into 30 languages. He has had three successful shows in London’s West End and a hit run on Broadway, and has twice been nominated for the Olivier Award, for Best New Play and Best New Com ...

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