New musical Berlusconi to make world premiere at London’s Southwark Playhouse

New musical Berlusconi is to make its world premiere in London next spring.

Described as a “naughty, noisy exposé” about Italy’s former Prime Minister, the piece will run at Southwark Playhouse’s new Elephant space from 25 March – 29 April 2023.

Francesca Moody Productions (Fleabag, Baby Reindeer) and Wishful Thinking Musicals will present the premiere of the new musical, which has a book, music and lyrics by Ricky Simmonds and Simon Vaughan.

Berlusconi is an urgent and prescient story about a brand of political leadership that has become all too familiar. With soaring melodies and driving beats, this hilarious and outrageous new musical assembles an award-winning team to tell the astonishing, outlandish, almost true story of one of the world’s most charismatic, charming and morally dubious political leaders.

As Silvio tries to enshrine his legacy by grandiosely writing the opera of his life, his detractors are closing in…

The premiere production is directed by James Grieve (Fisherman’s Friends) with choreography by Rebecca Howell (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾) with set and costume by Lucy Osborne (The Famous Five), David White (Les Misérables) as executive musical supervisor, Jordan Li Smith (City of Angels) as musical supervisor & musical director, Dan Samson (Heathers) as sound designer and casting by Will Burton CDG. Associate produced by Alex Cook and Alan Hayling, based on an original idea by Alan Hayling.

Producer Francesca Moody said: “I am thrilled to be presenting this extraordinary and incredibly funny new musical with an award-winning team of the most exciting roll-call of creatives. Berlusconi is an all too familiar story of outrageous corruption and grotesque male privilege allowed to run riot, indeed seemingly run a country.

“It’s a musical which places a fierce feminist lens on a political leader who was known for his charming misogyny and spotlights the human cost of his time in office. Berlusconi upended Italian politics and it could not feel timelier, or more appropriate to be exploring this outrageous and almost true story with riotous comedy and sensational songs.”

Director James Grieve added: “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.”

For more information and tickets, visit southwarkplayhouse.co.uk