STILETTO at London’s Charing Cross Theatre

The Cast of Stiletto: photo Johan Persson

A short History revision lesson. Back in the 18th Century, women were not allowed on the stage and their roles were taken by men, or rather teenage boys. Cross the ocean to Venice, a vibrant city of wealth and power but also of poverty and hardship. There, each year, thousands of young boys were castrated in order to preserve their angelic voices and rise from their lowly birth ranks to the stage, where they might earn their fortune. Those who were lucky to acquire patrons became latter days heroes, rather like our own recording icons. However, the world they entered was harsh, corrupt, with tendrils extending to the church and the nobility who believed that all they wished for was rightfully theirs and where corruption was the norm.

Here is where we enter Stiletto, the new musical making its premiere at London’s Charing Cross Theatre. With music and lyrics by three times Grammy nominee, Oscar and Golden Globe Award Matthew Wilder, book by double Olivier Award Nominee Tim Luscombe and directed by David Gilmore, it sets out to explore the life of one successful Castrato, Marco Borroni, (Jack Chambers) who has captivated the adoration of audiences but whose patron wishes him to progress even further. Subject to the whims and will of Count Pietro D’Orozco (Douglas Hansell) and his spoilt, indulged wife Azurra, (Kelly Hampson) he must rely on their generosity to aid him on this journey to further stardom.

Jack Chambers as Marco and cast: photo Johan Persson

But here the story sort of takes a sideways path, a tangent to the core. Meeting the daughter of an African slave, Gioia, (Jewelle Hutchinson) who has a superb singing voice but of course who faces the prejudice of the Venetian society which will bar her way to stardom, Marco is determined to enable her hopes and ambitions. And it is here where things become somewhat confused. There is the exposure of the hideous mores that lurk behind the doors of the wealthy, of the vile prejudice and cruelty, of injustice and influence. Conversely the honesty of the poor, the need for justice and strength. Two areas of conflict which muddle the smoothness of the piece. Where the story was initially focused on the Castrato, it is now taking many loops and turns with allusions to modern day corruption and in doing so loses the initial construct. The suspense filled tale becomes somewhat lost in this quagmire weighted down by its separate strands; the intrigue sometimes swamped by some cringe making moments of humour and attempts at levity.

Jewelle Hutchinson as Gioia: photo Johan Persson

Nevertheless, Stiletto has many high points. Firstly, the musicality performed by the accomplished chamber orchestra led by Musical Director Jae Alexander is superb, complementing the score in its entirety. Loved the harp, a great inclusion considered by Simon Nathan’s orchestrations. An acid test for a musical is to ensure an exciting opener and here, Every Day Of Your Life certainly hit the right notes, performed strikingly by both cast and musicians. The score, sometimes reminiscent of Menkin, was exciting, although on occasion the lyrics might have been too considered in their rhyming couplets, but the cast delivered each number with clarity as their voices rose to the challenge. Stiletto is stylish in all aspects; from the lush 18th century costuming of Anna Kelsey to the considered stage set complete with candlelit candelabras the tone is set. We are there in the piazza, in the interior of the palace, in the courtroom. The Charing Cross Theatre is a small, intimate venue and the staging is limited. But the Creative Team rose to that challenge. Visually it was a feast and Ceci Calf’s set design together with Ben Ormerod’s lighting and Chris Baldock’s musical staging was highly effective.

Set in two Acts, with a gasp at the end of the first and a promise for the second, the production runs at two and a half hours, including an interval. It may not leave you deep in thought as you exit the theatre, but there is no doubt you will have an enjoyable evening at Stiletto.

Playing until 14 June 2025 at London’s Charing Cross Theatre.

Photos: Johan Persson