Do it for Peggy!

Peggy Umpleby is 95 and a truly remarkable woman. Born into poverty in London's East End in 1930, she was evacuated to the Norfolk Countryside to avoid The Blitz. She was sent to Breccles Hall where she was taken care of by socialite Venetia Stanley Montagu. It was here that the modest little girl from the East End met with aristocracy, the great and the good, including Winston Churchill and artist Rex Whistler. It was here that the young Peggy learned embroidery and, in particular the fading art of tambour beading.

Still sharp as tack, she loves nothing more than to tell people about her career as the Queen's embroider, with the royal warrant. The last Queen always referred to Peggy as Miss Peggy, hence the title of our show. She also worked with famous British fashion designer Hardy Aimes.

Recently the BBC, for reasons best known to themselves, decided at the last moment not to commission a radio 4 play about a key moment in Peggy's life.

I was the writer of the Miss Peggy's Secret Holiday which had Sarah Hadland (Miranda) and Hugh Dennis (Not Going Out/Mock the Week) on board. We were all devastated when the show fell through at the last moment, not least 95-year-old Peggy.

However, with your help we can do the next best thing for Peggy, who wants to share her remarkable story with the world.

Following our critically acclaimed show at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival (One Sugar, Stirred to the Left), we are planning to produce a play of Miss Peggy's Secret Holiday.

What's The Story?

Our play is based on the true story of how Peggy came to make the iconic wedding veil for Princess Diana in 1981.

In 1981, Peggy was tasked with making Diana’s iconic veil by Elizabeth and David Emanuel… in her living room. However, this had to be done in complete secrecy. In the spring of '81 everyone wanted to know about the dress, and the last thing that Peggy needed was a flock of paparazzi around the house. If it was discovered that she was making the veil, the secret would be out and a key part of the wedding - which would be watched by 750 million people - would be ruined.

So, Peggy told her office that she was going away on holiday for a week, to Spain, with her husband. It was a lie which forced Peggy and her loving, but dry husband Ed, to be prisoners in their own home for a week. Cue the comedy as Peggy struggles with the monumental veil consisting of ten thousand sequins, while Ed struggles with complete boredom! As Peggy struggles with the most important commission of her life, she has to put up with next door's dog barking, another neighbour learning the violin, and a window cleaner urinating in the begonias and sleeping on her sun bed! If that wasn't enough, she has to cope with her husband 'being helpful' around the house!

It is a comedy drama which will have theatre goers captured and will particularly interest those with an interest in the Royal Family.

We have already identified cast members for the two-hander and we plan to debut the play near the Queen's beloved Sandringham in early 2026.

We require funding to support the set design, travel, props but most crucially for the actors wages during a nationwide tour, starting near the Queen's beloved Sandringham Estate. We will also require finance to support our registration fees for next year's Edinburgh Fringe.

We know this is a play which will resonate with people around the UK.

Peggy, like all of us, isn't getting any younger and we really want to help Peggy to share her remarkable story with the world.

Please help us.