World premiere of major new musical STILETTO announced

Design: Rebecca Pitt

It has been announced that the world premiere of major new musical, Stiletto, will play at Charing Cross Theatre from 24 March - 15 June 2025.

Stiletto, a new musical with music and lyrics by three-time Grammy nominee, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Matthew Wilder, a book by double Olivier Award nominee Tim Luscombe, is set in Venice, Europe’s opera capital.

During the winter of 1730-31, Venice is a city bristling with opportunity where fortunes can be made but life is cheap. A city of lustre and intrigue with plenty of chances of success for Marco, who was castrated as a child to retain his perfect voice. Opera stars being the rock stars of their day, Marco is on course to be an 18th-century Jagger or Bowie, to snag a powerful patron and play leading roles.

In a busy square he meets Gioia, confident, strong willed...and supremely talented. But despite her musical gifts, being the daughter of an African slave, 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.

In an attempt to get her on stage, Marco introduces Gioia to society and his patron, the Contessa Azzurra, but at the end of the evening, a body lies dead and Gioia is hauled off to prison. To free her, Marco must overcome the demons of his past and the morally corrupt forces of the present.

The musical is directed by David Gilmore, with choreography by Tony and Olivier nominated Anthony Van Laast, musical supervision and direction by Jae Alexander, orchestrations by Simon Nathan, set design by Ceci Calf, costumes by Anna Kelsey, lighting by Ben Ormerod, sound by Andrew Johnson, and casting by Neil Rutherford.

Casting is to be announced.

For more info, please click here.