Josh St. Clair and Amy Di Bartolomeo are currently starring in the world premiere of Glory Ride at the Charing Cross Theatre, playing the roles of Gino Bartali and Adriana Bani.
Directed by Olivier winner Kelly Devine, Glory Ride has book, music and lyrics by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz.
Glory Ride reveals the secret wartime heroics of Gino Bartali, one of the most beloved athletes of all time. 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.
Glory Ride was developed through workshops in New York and Los Angeles ahead of a workshop staging at The Other Palace last year.
Josh recently played Pabbie in the original West End cast of Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. His credits also include: understudy Fiyero in Wicked (International Tour), swing in School Of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Harry & understudy Charlie in Kinky Boots (UK Tour) and Peter Kingsley in City Of Angels (Garrick Theatre).
Amy recently completed her reign as Catherine of Aragon in the West End production of Six at the Vaudeville Theatre. Her credits also include: Oz in We Will Rock You (UK Tour), In Pieces (Digital), Bat Out of Hell (London Coliseum / Manchester Opera House / Toronto), Diva in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (New Zealand), Starlight Express (Germany) and The Rat Pack Boys (UK Tour).
Glory Ride runs at the Charing Cross Theatre 22nd April - 29th July 2023. Visit www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk for info and tickets.
Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
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