No longer booking
  • Venue Charing Cross Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 29 July 2023
  • Running time 2 hours (including Interval)
  • Age guidelines 6+

The incredible true story of Italian cycling legend Gino Bartali, who secretly rode thousands of miles to save hundreds of children from Mussolini’s fascists – and never told a soul.

Major new musical Glory Ride premieres at Charing Cross Theatre in London.

Glory Ride transports audiences to the golden hills of Tuscany during the darkest days of the Second World War, with a story combining heist, history, humour, and humanity and a soaring new score. 

Written by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz, the production is directed by Kelly Devine – the Olivier Award-winning choreographer on West End hit Come From Away.

Glory Ride is running at the Charing Cross Theatre from 22 April to 29 July 2023.

Gino Bartali, one of the most beloved of Italian athletes of all time, had a secret life. A Tour de France winner, in the 1940s he was considered the second most famous man in Italy – after Mussolini. His cycling achievements on the Alps and Pyrenees were legendary, but until recently, few knew that he risked his life by saving hundreds of people from fascism during World War II.

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 cross borders to safety. His bravery rescued hundreds of persecuted Jews and other refugees, many of whom were children. In 2013, Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, recognised Gino Bartali with the honour of Righteous Among the Nations.

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

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Glory Ride?

The World Premiere production will feature Josh St. Clair (Frozen, City of Angels, Wicked) in the lead as Gino Bartali alongside Amy Di Bartolomeo (Six, Bat Out of Hell), Fed Zanni (Mamma Mia! The Party, Head Over Heels), Daniel Robinson (Heathers the Musical, My Night with Reg), Ruairidh McDonald, Ryan Bennett (Heathers the Musical), Peter Watts (Macbeth, UK Tour), Jamie Coyne, Loris Scarpa (Once in Concert), Susanna Paisio (Una Mendicante Cieca Cantava l’Amore, Teatro dei Sensibili, Milan), Steve Watts (As You Like It) and Alice Spigariol.

Who are the creative team of Glory Ride?

Written by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz and Directed by Kelly Devine, with Associate Director Richard J Hines, Musical Director Dave Rose, Set, Costume & Video Designer PJ McEvoy, Casting Director Harry Blumenau CDG, General Management Smart Entertainment, and Italian Cultural Adviser Federico Bellone.

Important Notes

Content:

This show contains themes of peril and war.

Venue Information

Charing Cross Theatre , The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NL

Nearest Tube or Train: Charing Cross (Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: (Strand) 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139, 176

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Glory Ride

"It’s a great idea, executed with enough energy to power the most reluctant cyclist up a mountain" - The Times

Also see: Glory Ride Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Glory Ride is playing at the Charing Cross Theatre in London
The running time of Glory Ride is 2 hours (including Interval)
The age recommendations for Glory Ride are: 6+
Yes, Glory Ride has matinee performances on the following days: Thursday, Saturday
No, sorry, Glory Ride has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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