Sebastian Torkia will take on the title role in the world premiere of new musical Berlusconi at the Southwark Playhouse this spring.
Torkia (Matilda, Cambridge Theatre/UK tour) will star as one of Italy’s most controversial politicians, media mogul and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi alongside Sally Ann Triplett (Chicago, Adelphi Theatre), Emma Hatton (Wicked, Apollo Victoria) and Jenny Fitzpatrick (Rock of Ages, UK tour) as the three formidable women in his life.
They will be joined by McCallam Connell (The Colour Purple, UK tour) as the Judge, John Conroy (Half a Sixpence, Noel Coward Theatre) as Luigi, Susan Fay (The Girls, UK tour) as Mama Rosa, Natalie Kassanga (Dreamgirls, UK tour) as Bella, Gavin Wilkinson (Our House, Savoy Theatre) as Vladimir Putin and Matthew Woodyatt (Piaf, Nottingham Playhouse) as Antonio.
Presented by Francesca Moody Productions and Thomas S. Barnes, the musical comedy about the man who remains a force in contemporary Italian politics in spite of a series of headline hitting scandals, will make its debut at the South London venue from 25 March-29 April 2023.
Told through the eyes of three women, Berlusconi is written by Ricky Simmonds and Simon Vaughan and directed by James Grieve.
Commenting on the musical, Grieve said: “The chance to make and premiere a brand new British musical is a rare and brilliant thing. Ricky and Simon have written an incandescent, uproarious, strikingly apposite show that melds sabre sharp lyrics with a technicolour head rush of a score.
“It is a witty, incisive, affecting, hugely entertaining work of dazzling originality and élan. I feel immensely privileged and excited to bring it to the stage alongside a visionary producer and outstanding creative team.”
The musical is choreographed by Rebecca Howell with set and costume by Lucy Osborne, Paul Schofield as musical supervisor, arranger and co-orchestrator, and Jordan Li Smith as musical director and vocal arranger. The creative team also includes lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, sound designer Dan Samson as sound designer, video designer Stanley Orwin-Fraser for Duncan McClean Projection, with music production and co-orchestration by Lewis Andrews, original vocal score and original vocal arrangements by David White and casting by Will Burton.
Based on an original idea by Alan Hayling, the musical is associate produced by Alex Cook and Hayling and developed with Richard Buckton and Charli Eglinton.
Angela Thomas
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