Considered a masterpiece of modern cinema, Fellini's Oscar-winning film, La Strada (The Road), will be brought to the stage in a brand new production with music by Benji Bower, directed by Olivier award-nominee Sally Cookson.
La Strada receives its world premiere at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, as the start of a 16 week UK Tour prior to opening in London at The Other Palace, where it will run until 8 July 2017. Tour dates and ticket links can be seen below.
A soul-searching story filled with beauty, sadness, humour and acute observation, La Strada tells the tragic and tender tale of wide-eyed Gelsomina who is sold by her impoverished mother to the brutish strongman Zampano, a travelling sideshow performer. Their journey through the Italian countryside leads them to a ragtag touring circus where they meet Il Matto the free-spirited tightrope walker, who tries to rekindle Gelsomina’s broken spirit.
Featuring live music and original songs, La Strada brings together a multi-skilled cast of performers and musicians. Audrey Brisson (Cirque de Soleil’s Quidam, Kneehigh’s The Cast of the Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Dead Dog in a Suitcase, The Wild Bride and National Theatre’s The Elephantom) plays Gelsomina, Stuart Goodwin (Sally Cookson’s Sleeping Beauty; Kneehigh’s Tristan & Yseult) plays Zampano and Bart Soroczynski (Cirque de Loin’s The Fool & The Princess; ENO’s Benvenuto Cellini; RSC’s The Merry Wives of Windsor) plays Il Matto. The ensemble cast includes: Matt Costain, Fabrizio Matteini, Sofie Lybäck, Niv Petel, Niccolo Curradi, Tatiana Santini, Luke Potter and Tee Jay Holmes. Further casting to be announced.
La Strada is directed by Sally Cookson, with musical direction and music by Benji Bower, ‘writer in the room’ Mike Akers, set and costume design by Katie Sykes, lighting design by Aideen Malone and sound design by Mike Beer.
LA STRADA UK TOUR
The Other Palace, London (Formerly St James Theatre)
Dates: Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 8 July 2017
LA STRADA PAST TOUR DATES
The Belgrade Theatre
Dates: Sat 11 – Sat 11 February 2017
Milton Keynes Theatre
Dates: Mon 20 – Sat 25 February 2017
Richmond Theatre
Dates: Mon 27 Feb – Sat 4 March 2017
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Dates: Mon 6 – Sat 11 March 2017
Oxford Playhouse
Dates: Mon 20 – Sat 25 March 2017
Date: Mon 27 March – Sat 8 April 2017
Bristol Old Vic
Date: Tue 11 – Sat 22 April
West Yorkshire Playhouse
Dates: Mon 24 – Sat 29 April
Northcott Theatre
Dates: Tue 2 – Sat 6 May
The REP
Dates: Mon 8 – Sat 13 May
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Dates: Mon 15 – Sat 20 May
Dates: Mon 22 – Sat 27 May
Douglas Mayo has had a life long love affair with musical theatre. He has authored several books on publicity and marketing for amateur theatre groups. He is in the process of developing a musical based on his original story concept.
Stay in the spotlight
Get the latest theatre news, reviews and exclusive offers straight to your inbox.
