“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
