Stiletto, the new musical with Music and Lyrics by three-time Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Matthew Wilder (Disney’s Mulan) with the Book by double Olivier Award nominee Tim Luscombe (Noël Coward’s Easy Virtue, Terrence Rattigan’s The Browning Version and Harlequinade) has been nominated for a staggering 11 awards at the 2025/2026 Fringe Theatre Awards including Best New Musical and Best Production. 

Set in 18th-century Italy, Stiletto follows Marco, a young castrato singer navigating the opulent yet perilous world of Venetian opera. His life changes when he meets Gioia; confident, strong willed...and supremely talented. But despite her musical gifts, as a black woman in a racist and misogynist society, there’s no chance for her to fulfil her dreams. 

Marco recognises her talent and, sensing that they are both outsiders as well as sharing a love for music, they fall in love. When a murder shatters their world, Marco must confront his past to save her. A sweeping tale of ambition, love, sacrifice, and resilience, Stiletto brings an opulent, rarely explored slice of musical history to the stage.  

Music & Lyrics: Matthew Wilder

Book: Tim Luscombe

Director: David Gilmore

Staging Consultant: Anthony Van Laast

Musical Director: Jae Alexander

Orchestrator: Simon Nathan

Set Designer: Ceci Calf

Costume Designer: Anna Kelsey

Lighting Designer: Ben Ormerod   

Sound Designer: Andrew Johnson

Casting: Neil Rutherford

Executive Producer: Guy Kitchenn

Produced by Patrick Bywalski for the Robert Stigwood Organisation and Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited.