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As a giant fan of musicals, there’s an actual combine of pleasure and apprehension when heading to a brand new present. Will it turn into a brand new favorite, making its manner onto my common rotation of musical soundtracks? Will I be reserving repeat visits sooner or later? Or will it disappoint? I headed to The Other Palace to learn how Glory Ride would work out. The manufacturing had its world premiere as a staged live performance on Monday 14 November. It’s an honour to be at a premiere, and the sense of anticipation within the room was palpable. A mixture of…
Rating
Good
A brand new musical that’s oozing potential, with the idea of a genuinely exceptional true story to gasoline its future.
As a giant fan of musicals, there’s an actual combine of pleasure and apprehension when heading to a brand new present. Will it turn into a brand new favorite, making its manner onto my common rotation of musical soundtracks? Will I be reserving repeat visits sooner or later? Or will it disappoint? I headed to The Other Palace to learn how Glory Ride would work out.
The manufacturing had its world premiere as a staged live performance on Monday 14 November. It’s an honour to be at a premiere, and the sense of anticipation within the room was palpable. A mixture of critics, supporters and musical lovers packed into the impressively racked seating of the venue: there’s no dangerous seat on this fantastic theatre.
The musical is predicated on the true story of a hero from the Second World War, Gino Bartali, who gained the Tour de France in 1938 and 1948. Yet his biggest achievement was saved a secret all through his life. This musical tells the story of how he defied the fascists, saving tons of of youngsters’s lives with the assistance of his enterprise supervisor and the Cardinal of Tuscany.
The story itself is actually fascinating, and it’s the kind of present that leaves you wanting to search out out extra. However, the pacing inside the musical does really feel prefer it wants a bit extra work – a tragedy early on misses an emotional punch. The identical could possibly be stated of Gino’s romantic relationship with Adriana. It’s onerous to kind an emotional connection; plot factors really feel glossed over because the present tries to slot in all the small print of the story. Despite this, the ending nonetheless has emotional energy, as you realise the dimensions of Gino’s heroism.
The identical could possibly be stated of the music and lyrics in Glory Ride. There are some incredible moments, and because the present reaches its conclusion, the music turns into rather a lot stronger. However, the primary half does drag slightly, with the songs not doing sufficient to push the plot alongside. There are some memorable tunes – one was circling my head as I waited for the practice house – but within the context of the competitors from different productions, the music failed to face out.
There is just not a lot staging to talk of, it being a live performance efficiency, however there are glimmers of potential that trace at what this present may turn into the place it developed right into a full manufacturing. In explicit, the best way they first showcase Gino as a bike owner successful races and reaching fame and glory as an athlete.
The solid are principally spectacular, as you’d count on from their West End credentials. James Darch stands out as Gino, enjoying the position with appeal and ease, and he’s a pleasure to observe, regardless of his very English accent. Then Adrianna Bertola is wholly plausible as his little brother Giulio. The position of Gino’s accountant is performed splendidly by Matt Blaker, successful the viewers over instantly. The extra sinister roles of the Blackshirts are genuinely intimidating, with Neil McDermott being terrifying at instances. Despite the standard solid, there are some questions on their accents, with a mixture of characters with full Italian accents, while others sound like they’re narrating a Nineteen Forties Pathé newsreel.
This present has a lot potential, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see the place it goes subsequent. It’s straightforward to think about it as a full manufacturing, giving a voice to this fascinating story that Gino himself by no means spoke of; he handed away in 2000 having by no means revealed his secret. It’s a story that deserves to be instructed, and Glory Ride definitely has the potential to present it justice.
Books, music and lyrics by: Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz
Directed by: Shaun Kerrison
Musical route by: Greg Jarrett
Produced by: Dickson Cossar
Glory Ride performs at The Other Palace till 16 November. Further data and bookings might be discovered right here.