REVIEW: GLORY RIDE by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz at Charing Cross Theatre until 29 July 2023

‘A fine show’ ★★★

A great story needs a great show. This show is not that - but there is much to be applauded.

Gino Bartali’s story is remarkable. A Tour De France winner in 1938, he conspired with the Cardinal of Florence to transport - well, smuggle - firstly documents and then refugees out of Italy and away from the terror of Benito Mussolini’s Blackshirts. As Hitler’s Germany continued its occupation of northern Italy, Jews and other ‘undesirables’ were transported to concentration camps and Bartai’s actions helped saved hundreds, maybe thousands of people.

On the face of it, this illuminating and fascinating tale of heroism and ‘doing the right thing’ might perhaps best work as a film or play - but not as a musical. The fact that the father and daughter writing and producing team of Victoria and Todd Buchholz have ‘found’ this story and sought to make it so is to their credit.

As Bartali, Josh St.Clair is charismatic, sings well and leads the line. There is maybe a lack of emotional depth, but this is more down to the script and he is missed when not on stage. There is a love story - in fact, a love triangle with Gino’s old school friend Mario (a bit of a Javert-type) - as he meets and courts his future wife Adriana. Amy Di Bartolomeo is a powerhouse singer ('Promises' is the highlight of the show) and seemingly gets the best songs - we just need to see more of her, and the love triangle is resolved too easily and quickly. There is a nice turn and tune from Ruairidh McDonald as Felix, but some of the characterisation and accents are ‘mixed’. When the cast all sing together - sometimes from offstage - it is lovely but, again, more please!

The problem here is that, with one or two exceptions, the songs aren’t quite good enough with a few truly ropey lyrics and nothing memorable enough to really stir the emotions (I did like the guitar-led band, however). I completely understand Victoria Buchholz wanting to take this forward herself - both music and lyrics - but a more experienced musical theatre hand might have added more polish.

There are also some very odd and jarring moments of 'comedy' which, whilst nicely played, seemed to be from another show entirely. The Charing Cross Theatre - in proscenium style for the first time in an age - is dressed simply but the set has nice authentic touches, as do the costumes. There is a pleasing use of archive which adds to the story, and the direction by Kelly Devines is tight and always keeps the action moving.

Ultimately Glory Ride is about quiet heroism, about what people do when they have the chance to help enact change, and about how communities support ‘outsiders’. There is, of course, resonance with the here and now which gives this nice show added weight and depth.

Photos by Marc Brenner

Glory Ride

The world premiere of a major new musical

Book, Music & Lyrics by Victoria Buchholz & Todd Buchholz

Directed by Kelly Devine

Charing Cross Theatre

22 April to 29 July, 2023

https://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/glory-ride

Cast:

Josh St. Clair, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Niall Sheehy, Fed Zanni, Daniel Robinson,

Ruairidh McDonald, Ryan Bennett, Peter Watts, James Coyne,

Loris Scarpa, Susianna Paisio, Steve Watts, Alice SpigariolNial Sheekhy,

Creative team includes:

Director Kelly Devine

Associate Director Ricky J Hines

Musical Director Dave Rose

Set, Costume & Video Designer PJ McEvoy

Casting Director Harry Blumenau, CDG

General Management Smart Entertainment

Italian Cultural Adviser Federico Bellone

Producers Glory Ride 2023 Ltd

Twitter:

@GloryRideShow

Instagram

@GloryRideShow

Website

www.Gloryridemusical.com

Reviewed by Paul Maidment