Glory Ride
“Some medals are pinned to your soul, not to your jacket.”


Gino Bartali, Tour de France winner and one of the most beloved Italian athletes of all time, had a secret life. 

With his cycling career as a cover, Bartali cycled thousands of miles between cities across Italy. Hidden in the frame of his bike were falsified identity cards and other secret documents to help victims of the Second World War cross borders to safety from Mussolini’s fascist regime. His efforts saved hundreds of persecuted Jews and other refugees, many of whom were children. 

Bartali was a local hero as well as a national figurehead, renowned in his community for his unwavering commitment to helping others. His story has a powerful message for audiences today about bravery, loyalty and doing the right thing regardless of the consequences.

Directed by Olivier-winner Kelly Devine, GLORY RIDE has been developed through workshops in New York and Los Angeles as well as a series of sold-out staged concerts in London last year at The Other Palace. 

Don’t miss this chance to experience this incredible true story combining heist, history, humour, and humanity with a soaring new score by father and daughter team, Victoria and Todd Buchholz


☆☆☆☆
The score… soars impressively as the collective cast unites to deliver some of the production’s best numbers.

Musical Theatre Review


Cast includes:

Josh St. Clair (as Gino Bartali). Josh’s West End credits include the original cast of ‘Frozen’ (as Grand 
Pabbie), Peter Kingsley in ‘City of Angels’, ‘School of Rock’ and ‘Wicked’, and the UK tour of ‘Kinky Boots’.

Amy Di Bartolomeo (Adriana Bani). Amy is best known for playing Catherine of Aragon in ‘SIX’ in the West End, Leibeswoosh in ‘Bat Out of Hell’ (West End & Toronto), Meat in ‘We Will Rock You’ (UK tour).

Fed Zanni (Major Mario Carita). From Modena, Italy, Fed’s recent credits include Basilius in ‘Head Over Heels’ at Manchester’s Hope Mill, Nikos in ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’ (O2), ‘The Twelve Tenors’ (European Tour) and Jesus in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.

Daniel Robinson (Giorgio Nico). Daniel was Kurt’s Dad in ‘Heathers the Musical’ (The Other Palace), 
Nathan Detroit in ‘Guys and Dolls’ and Luther Billis in ‘South Pacific’ both (Kilworth House), ‘Kiss Me Kate’ and ‘South Pacific’ (Théâtre du Châtelet); ‘My Night with Reg’ and ‘Piaf’ (Donmar Warehouse).

NIALL SHEEHY (Cardinal Dalla Costa) Theatre includes: Les Misérables (Sondheim); Ghost(Tour)'; Titanic (London and international tour); Miss Saigon (Prince Edward); Wicked (Apollo Victoria & Toronto) and We Will Rock You (UK tour).

Ruairidh McDonald (Felix). Winner of the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year, 
Ruairidh made his professional debut as Buggins in ‘Half A Sixpence’ at Kilworth House and was John in ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ (Pitlochry Festival Theatre).

Ryan Bennett (Commander Graziani). Ryan was recently in ‘Heathers’ as Coach Ripper/Big Bud Dean/Kurt’s Dad (The Other Palace) and was Lurch in ‘The Addams Family’ (UK tour).

Peter Watts (Fantali). Peter’s credits include Macduff in ‘Macbeth’ (UK Tour), Antiochus in ‘Pericles, Prince of Tyre’ (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Trinculo in ‘The Tempest’ and Bottom in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (both Nottingham Playhouse).

Jamie Coyne (Cosmo). Jamie is a recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting. ‘Glory Ride’ is his 
professional debut.

Loris Scarpa (Lorenzo). Loris was Svec in ‘Once in Concert’ (London Palladium), ‘Rapunzel’ at The 
Watermill and played Tweedledum/The March Hare in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (The Mercury Theatre).

Susanna Paisio (Rosetta). Susanna is an Italian actress and singer-songwriter based in London and Turin. Her stage credits include ‘La Conferenza degli Uccelli’ (by and with Jean Claude Carriere), ‘Chotto Desh’ (Akram Khan Company), ‘Song of the Earth’ (shortlisted for the Edinburgh Fringe Sustainable Practice Award, ‘Una Mendicante Cieca Cantava l’Amore’ (Teatro dei Sensibili, Milan) and ‘Il Postino dell’Arcobaleno’ (Teatro San Babila, Milan).

Steve Watts (Torello). Steve’s credits include ‘Passion’ at Hope Mill, Manchester, ‘As You Like It’ (West End and International Tour); ‘Macbeth’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Lady Be Good’ and ‘The Boy Friend’ (Regent’s Park).

Alice Spigariol (ensemble). Alice is a recent graduate of Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. 
‘Glory Ride’ is Alice’s professional debut.


Creative Team:
Book, Music & Lyrics by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz
Director Kelly Devine
Associate Director Richard J. Hinds
Musical Director Dave Rose
Set, Costume & Video Designer PJ McEvoy
Lighting Designer Rob Halliday
Orchestrations Jen Green
Casting Director Harry Blumenau
General Management Smart Entertainment
Italian cultural adviser Federico Bellone
Producers Glory Ride 2023 Ltd





Now Playing

Beautiful World Cabarets

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Beautiful World Cabarets
Beautiful World Cabarets are a series of explorations of our natural world by unique artists who have each undertaken their own personal journey, exploring and reflecting on the place nature holds in their lives and the sense of wonder it evokes.
 
Each artist has chosen an inspirational selection of words and music embracing musical theatre, jazz, opera and classical music, and sometimes been inspired to write their own music to express what they have learned on their voyage of discovery.  

Hot on the heels of a scintillating season at Crazy Coqs, award-winning actress Janie Dee has curated a special series of cabarets at Charing Cross Theatre, inspired by our Beautiful World.

The series brings together distinguished and emerging talents to reflect on the world we live in, and the one we want to create. Nine days of thrilling performances with London’s divine and glorious artistes. Playful, radical, informative, and ultimately hopeful.

London Climate Change Festival in partnership with Charing Cross Theatre, and the London Wildlife Trust

Festival Line Up:

Saturday 5th July - 15:00
Janie Dee and Guests
The opening celebration will see Janie Dee and Ian Shaw with emerging artists Josephina Ortiz Lewis; Sophia Priolo; Alfie Friedman; Miriana Pavia; Rebecca Goddard; Helena Neil Smith; and co-author with Lady Gaga, Em The Master, who are performing their Beautiful World Cabarets. Singing the songs of Stephen Sondheim; Kander & Ebb; Adam Guettel and new writing, we give a glimpse of some of their inspirational performances. A peek of the glory to come!

Saturday 5th July - 19:30
Wayne Sleep OBE
Wayne Sleep OBE, national treasure is a dancer, director, choreographer, and actor who was originally star of the Royal Ballet and more recently appeared on the BBC series The Real Marigold on Tour and ITV’s The Real Full Monty. Wayne’s cabaret reflects on the beautiful world we live in. Expect a mix of career highlights: Original Emcee in Gillian Lynne’s Cabaret, his Dying Swan routine – and a few surprises… Wilkommen Wayne! 

Sunday 6th July - 16:00
My Beautiful Musical World - Lorna Dallas
Lorna Dallas is a great vocalist/storyteller who displays an unparalleled joy in relating her diverse and varied life stories through song with great humor and pathos. Accompanied by Simon Beck on piano. Enjoy this musically beautiful world with this Bistro Award winning devilishly delightful diva! 
“Cabaret theater at its finest….a masterclass!” 
★★★★★ Broadway World.

Sunday 6th July - 18:00
Cassidy Janson
Olivier award winner Cassidy Janson will be singing her favourite songs inspired by the natural world. Star of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, & Juliet and Jerry’s Girls.

Monday 7th July - 19:30
EM The Master
EM The Master is an award-winning music artist, classical pianist, scuba diver, freediver and ocean conservationist. EM's Beautiful World will focus on the wonders of the ocean, as she quirkily personifies the creatures she’s had the pleasure of interacting with. The show will celebrate the ocean’s marvels, the challenges it faces, and how we can harness our individual power to give back to this essential ecosystem. Quirky, humorous, powerful, and full of heart… much like the sea. Em has written most of her music and lyrics but sometimes nestles into Sondheim. 

Tuesday 8th July - 19:30
Barlow & Smith
Experience vibrant new musical theatre with Bella Barlow & A.C. Smith, featuring original songs from heartfelt to humorous. With a fabulous live band and West End guests Rhashan Stone, Emma Ralston and Zak Edwards, Barlow and Smith have created brand-new moments exclusively for this performance. 
“Very highly recommended... you’ll feel extremely lucky to have been there!” 
★★★★★ LondonTheatre1

Tuesday 8th July - 21:30
Janie Dee and Friends
This inspiring and original Beautiful World Cabaret confronts the climate crisis, celebrates individual effort and our beautiful world through song and spoken word. Drawing on the fine works of Stephen Sondheim; Tom Lehrer; Shakespeare; Kander & Ebb; Noel Gay; and Piazzola, making a musically eclectic evening an uplifting experience. Starring Janie Dee, Josephina Ortiz Lewis, Sophia Priolo and Mazaika Duo. 
“Nothing short of masterful” 
★★★★★ Playbill
“A classy, relaxed and generous-spirited hour of song, dance and spoken word from a bona fide West End star turned environmental activist.” 
★★★★ The Times

Wednesday 9th July - 19:30
Litter and Be Gay - Josephina Ortiz Lewis
Litter and Be Gay is Josephina Ortiz Lewis’s cabaret, clowning and drag debut. Jo is here to entertain you, excite you, alarm you, embarrass you and embarrass themself. Her chosen composers are Bernstein, Sondheim, George Benson, the BeeGees and Madison Cunningham.
Come along for a camp hour and an obnoxious amount of characters.
“Brilliant Cabaret Debut. Both hilarious and devastating…Jo’s voice is genuinely remarkable” ★★★★★ A Young(ish) Perspective 

Wednesday 9 July at 9.30pm
Three’s Company
‘Three’s Company’ comprises three close friends: Helena Neil-Smith, Miriana Pavia, and Rebecca Goddard, all brought together by a force stronger than fate. Now, they are delighted to invite everyone to explore the ‘Ebb and Flow’ of the world as they explore a journey down the river. Drawing from the works of Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Finn Anderson, Paul Abela and Anais Mitchell. With special guest Marianthe Panas.

Thursday 10th July - 19:30
Olivia Williams and Friends
Olivia Williams' Beautiful World Cabaret comprises music, poetry, comedy and wisdom about our beautiful world and what we can do to preserve it. Her extraordinary guests are all at the top of their profession from Violinist Lizzie Ball to Conservation Biologist and designer Dr Susanna Paisley, Underwater Pianist Professor Hugh Montgomery and our mystery guest the Bin-Day Terrorist. We have an opera singer, a story-teller and a Sondheim-singin' Bridgerton heart throb. Sing and laugh, listen and learn with some of the most interesting people you will ever meet.

Friday 11th July - 19:30
Unsovereignty - Alfie Friedman
In a world once symbiotic, we've become divided and afraid. Alfie Friedman explores the personal and planetary through original songs and classics by Stephen Sondheim, Rebecca Sugar, Marvin Hamlisch, Declan O’Rourke, Duncan Sheik, and more! Featuring a live band.

Friday 11th July - 21:30
Seven Deadly Sins on Earth - Sister Mary
Sister Mary was a foundling, discovered on the steps of St Peter’s of the Sister’s of the Third Removed, in the heart of London’s West End. It is rumoured she is the secret love child of West End Musical Theatre Star, Elaine Paige. Sister Mary loves showtunes and making homemade flapjack. Accompanied on the organ by her long-suffering sidekick Brother Matthew. Join Sister Mary as she battles the blues with her singing and her unique style of comedy. No pulpit. No psalms. No prayers. She’s not that kind of nun. 
“Relentlessly funny” London’s Evening Standard
“Pure comedy Gold” Edinburgh Three Weeks
“Pick of the Day” New York Times 

Saturday 12th July - 19:30
Songs of Love and Protection - Ian Shaw
Multi award-winning (including BBC jazz awards Best Vocalist) jazz singer, broadcaster, record producer and pianist, Ian Shaw has devised a show exclusively for this special series. Songs of Love and Protection is a salve, a musical tale of humanity, with all its faces - via the songs of Rodgers and Hart, Bowie, Joni, Leonard Cohen, Dylan and some brand-new Shaw pithy originals. Janie Dee will join him to sing his latest creation “Outlove”.
His latest Album is out November 7th: Stephensong. Ian Shaw Sings Stephen Sondheim. (Silent Wish Records)

Saturday 12th July - 21:30
Mazaika Duo
Passionate, virtuosic Violin Accordion and vocal duo  Sarah Harrison and Igor Outkine celebrate the beauty of our world! Full of Gypsy fire, tango passion, operatic melodrama and classical virtuosity. The duo have picked music and songs inspired by the sounds and sights of nature. Prepare to feel the excitement and power of Vivaldi’s Summer Storm, marvel at violin birdsong in The Lark and let Igor’s lovely Neapolitan and Latin songs transport you to the world’s most beautiful places. Most recently spotted on the Michael McIntyre show  and just returning from performing at Glastonbury! 
“Hugely entertaining, the duo frequently brought the house down” 
★★★★ The Scotsman

Sunday 13th July - 16:00
Love, Life and the World - Laura Pitt-Pulford
A humorous and heart-rending choice of songs and stories that lifts your soul and opens up Laura’s Beautiful World to amuse and inspire. Her choice of composers ranges from Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman and Andrew Lloyd Webber to Joni Mitchell. Her version of Both Sides Now is a triumph! Laura Pitt-Pulford is an Olivier nominated highly acclaimed actress recently seen in the West End’s Standing at the Sky's Edge, Aspects of Love and Falsettos.  
★★★★ Musical Theatre Review

Sunday 13th July - 18:00
Dame Maureen Lipman and friends
Dame Maureen Lipman will be bringing together poetry, jazz, monologues and madness. Trust me it will be unusual. If not cutting edge, it will certainly be cutting hedge! Dame Maureen Lipman will be joined by Jacqui Dankworth, Thelma Ruby, Jonathan Williams, Ava Rosenthal, Jeremy Robson, Art Themen, Pauline Prior-Pitt and Charlie Woods. Dame Maureen Lipman is an English actress, comedian, and writer renowned for her extensive work in theatre, film, and television. She is currently playing “Evelyn Plummer’ in Coronation Street for ITV.

More Info