The background is red. On the left it reads 'That Bastard Puccini!' on the right is an image of two people with moustaches wearing dark coloured hats. There are music scattered around the image.
Person in a red vest and dark jacket making a puzzled expression while handling an old-fashioned telephone in a vintage blue room.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
Three actors performing on stage in a Victorian-era setting, with one character smoking a cigarette and the other two attentively observing.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
A person performs passionately on stage with expressive hand gestures, dressed in a period costume with a detailed backdrop featuring a classical building.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
Two actors on stage in a theatrical production, toasting with champagne glasses in an elegantly designed set resembling a historical interior.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
Three actors in period costume on stage in a dramatic scene, featuring a central figure looking concerned, flanked by another who is comforting them, and a third character observing intently.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
Two actors performing a scene on stage, one in a brown suit and the other in a white period dress, engaging warmly with each other in a set designed to look like a vintage room with blue walls.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
A person stands by a gramophone on a table, gesturing with hands open in a theatrical setting, wearing a formal vest and jacket. The background includes a blue wall and a framed picture.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
Two actors on stage during a theatrical performance, one standing and smiling while the other sits and laughs, both dressed in period costumes.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
A person performs on stage in a theatrical setting, dressed in a period costume with a dark red vest and black coat, arms raised and expression passionate. The backdrop features a deep blue, panelled wall.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge
A person in a historical costume, featuring a dark suit and red cravat, looks thoughtfully to the side on a stage set resembling a 19th-century room, with another individual in the background holding up a bunch of flowers.
The company of That Bastard, Puccini! Photo by David Monteith-Hodge

That Bastard, Puccini!
Tickets From £30.50

Venue

Park Theatre

It’s the dawn of the 20th century. Giacomo Puccini needs to write an opera that will cement his reputation as the next great composer. He’s found the perfect subject: the enchanting love story of La Boheme.

There’s only one problem – fellow composer Ruggero Leoncavallo has thought of it too. And worse still, he’s claiming Puccini stole his idea…

Soon it’s a race between two of Italy’s hottest composers: the battle of the Bohemes. The winner will claim a place in the pantheon, the loser a footnote in history. With riches, rivalry and reputation on the line, both will have to face more than they bargained for. But there’s more to life than great art – isn’t there?

A hilarious, chaotic and captivating new play by James Inverne, That Bastard, Puccini! brings to life an explosive professional rivalry, a plagiarism scandal that rocked Europe, and a friendship tested to the limit. Witness the story behind one of the world’s most famous masterpieces… and as a result, one of the least famous. Both of them titled La Boheme.

Closing

09/08/2025

Running Time

1h,40, inc. interval

Genre

Drama, Comedy

Age & Content

14+

No accessibility performances are currently scheduled for this show.

Cast:

Alasdair Buchan as

Leoncavallo

Sebastien Torkia as

Puccini

Lisa-Anne Wood as

Berthe

Creative:

Writer -

James Inverne

Director -

Daniel Slater

Producer & General Manager -

Rebecca Gwyther

Co-Producer -

J. Todd Harris

Associate Producer -

Michael Casselman & Mike Handelman

Set & Costume Designer -

Carly Brownbridge

Lighting Designer -

Katy Morison

Sound Designer -

Yvonne Gilbert

Musical Director -

Tim Murray

Assistant Designer -

Molly Fraser

Production Manager -

Charlie Rayner

Company Stage Manager -

Alec Jordan

Assistant Stage Manager -

Rhea Cosford