The Southwark Playhouse is to host a new musical based on the colourful life of flamboyant former Italian Prime Minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi which will begin previews at the new performance area in the venue named the ‘Southwark Playhouse Elephant’ on March 25th, ahead of an official opening night on March 29th, and performances running until April 29th.
Berlusconi A New Musical will chart the populist Italian leader’s time in office and is told from the perspective of three women who share in detail their side of the story.
Producer, Frances Moody commented on the new production stating that: “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”.
James Grieve will direct Ricky Simmonds and Simon Vaughan’s new musical alongside a wider creative team that features sound design by Dan Samson, choreography by Rebecca Howell, and set and costume design by Lucy Osborne.
‘Berlusconi’ will be one of the first productions to open at the new venue which is a new performance area at the theatre and will open in the new year. The current theatre is to be renamed ‘Southwark Playhouse Borough’, and the new venue will be called ‘Southwark Playhouse Elephant’ and will boast two new performance areas: a flexible 310 seat auditorium, and a community and youth space which will be used exclusively by the Southwark Playhouse’s extensive community and its participation work.
Theatre & Booking Info For Berlusconi A New Musical
The Southwark Playhouse Elephant is a small and intimate off-West End venue located in Dante Place 80 Newington Butts, close to Elephant and Castle tube station. Seating in each of the Southwark Playhouse’s performance spaces are on one level and have general admission seating so patrons are advised to arrive early to get the best views of the stage when attending productions. Due to the small and compact layout of the theatre, no seats have restricted views and good views of the stage are available from all seating areas. The front row is very close to the stage making you at eye contact with actors which can be either a good or bad thing depending on the production! Tickets to Berlusconi A New Musical for all performances can be booked securely online.