Review: GLORY RIDE, Charing Cross Theatre
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Glory Ride is, like most new musicals, based on a true story. Focusing on Italian Tour de France winner Gino Bartali, Glory Ride details the much unknown heroics of Bartali, Cardinal Ella Della Costa and Giorgi 'Nico' Nissim during Mussolini's regime and the second world war.
Along with the Caridnal and Nico, Bartali was part of a plan which saved over 800 jews’ lives. By carrying papers in his bike frame or hiding children in a trailer that he carried on his bike rides through the mountains. In constant danger of being discovered by Mussolini's 'Blackshirts', Bartali told no-one of his part in the plan, often being the poster boy for Mussolini and causing rifts with his own family because of it.
The set design is wonderful, like a little piece of Italy in a small London theatre. With cobbled buildings and a backdrop of Florence, it is very picturesque.
The first half builds the story and beds in the characters and their backgrounds. In some places, it is quite difficult to follow the time period that it is in and the creative licence used with Gino Bartali and his wife Andriana Bani's relationship does, in turn, lead to some confusion over whether they are together or not at different points in the show. That being said, the second half really hits home with poignant moments and the brutality of the situation.
At times, the character development feels a little too rushed and you care slightly less about characters that you perhaps want to root more for come the second half.
The songs in the show are good but not quite memorable enough for them to be something that you go away talking about. The execution of the songs is, however, wonderful.
The whole cast is exceptional. In everything they did, there was no weak link and casting director Harry Blumenau has truly excelled himself with this show. They are all note perfect and act with such precision and intent.
Josh St Clair as Gino Bartali really displays his anguish at certain situations so well and boy, can he sing whilst riding a bike! The on-stage chemistry between him and Daniel Robinson as Giorgio 'Nico' Nissim is wonderful. They bounce off of each other well and Robinson acts with such precision to make sure he displays the little idiosyncrasies of the character as well.
Amy Di Bartolomeo and Fed Zanni as Adriana Bani (Bartali's later wife) and Major Mario Carita do themselves proud in their performances. Di Bartolomeo has a beautiful voice and her solo, 'Promises', is very well executed but the expressions and conviction in her performance are what sets her apart from the crowd in this piece. Everything is so heartfelt; the way she holds herself in her scenes help to tell how she is feeling as well and it is a complete performance.
Zanni has possibly the hardest character to play in the piece because he has so much inner turmoil to display and that isn't an easy feat. He manages to make you feel just a little bit sorry for a character who is predominately a coward and for all the right reasons, chose the wrong side of the war.
Glory Ride has all of the elements that are needed to make a great musical, it just needs a little bit more fine tuning before it becomes a tour de force.
An enjoyable night at the theatre and is a must see for the cast performances alone.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Emma Rooney
Glory Ride plays at Charing Cross Theatre until 29 July, with tickets available here.