A brand new stage adaptation of Federico Fellini’s Academy Award-winning classic film La Strada is to embark on a national tour, before receiving its London premiere as part of the newly announced season at The Other Palace.
Opening a 16-week tour in Coventry in February 2017 before visiting 12 other venues, the show will receive its London premiere on 30 May 2017 at the newest addition to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, where it will run for 6 weeks.
Broadly considered a seminal masterpiece of modern cinema, the 1957 Oscar-winning film, which scooped the award for Best Foreign Language Film, will be celebrating its 60th anniversary when it receives its first ever stage interpretation next year.
With a title translating as ‘The Road’, the story follows the fresh-faced Gelsomina, whose impoverished mother sells her to the brutish strongman and travelling sideshow performer Zampano. Thus begins an adventure filled with beauty, sadness and humour, as their journey through the Italian countryside leads them to a ragtag touring circus – and an opportunity to rekindle Gelsomina’s broken spirit.
Director Sally Cookson commented: “Fellini’s iconic film has always fascinated me and the thought of using it as a starting point to make a piece of theatre was one I couldn’t resist. A folk-tale like odyssey – this story sees three lost souls travelling ‘the road’ and searching in different ways to find meaning in their lives.
“Using physical storytelling, music and movement, we will be attempting to find a theatricality to reimagine this story of human suffering, longing and redemption.”
With live music composed by Benji Bower, and a cast comprising Audrey Brisson, Stuart Goodwin, Bart Sorocyznski, Matt Costain, Fabrizio Matteini, Sofie Lybäck, Niv Petel, Niccolo Curradi, Tatiana Santini, Luke Potter and Tee Jay Holmes, London theatregoers will be marking the exciting dates in their diaries.
Tickets can now be purchased through the renamed venue’s website.