I am looking for a musical which will fill the emotional hole created by Come From Away closing in London in January and I think I may have found it.  In development and in concert, is a new musical based on a true story of heroism, courage and compassion for others. 

Set in Tuscany starting in the 1930s we are with Gino Bartali (James Darch) born into a poor family earning a living as carters.  He hears about a bicycling race but doesn’t have a bicycle and it would take several years for him to earn enough money to afford one.  He approached a shy man Giorgio Nico (Mark Blaker) who is the local bookkeeper and accountant who agrees to help him.  Nico secures Gino a child’s bike in pink but Gino makes the most of this opportunity and wins the mountain race.

As a result he is invited to work for the Italian national team not as a rider but as a helper.  His cycling prowess is recognised and he is found a place on the Italian team and wins the prestigious Giro d’Italia twice in 1937 and 1938 with its amazing mountain climbs. 

The 1930s coincides with the rise of Mussolini and his Fascisti in Italy and dividing people between supporting the Socialists or the Fascists in German occupied Italy.  With the Cardinal of Florence, Cardinal Della Costa (Ricardo Alonso) Gino Bartali as a cycling hero is allowed to travel to practise.   Gino and the Cardinal devise a plan to get forged passports to Jewish children left in Italy after their parents are sent to concentration camps.  Later he uses a training trailer on his bicycle to smuggle out five children by riding over the Alps to Switzerland.  It is estimated that he saved 800 lives.  Imagine riding a bicycle uphill with all that extra weight.  He made 53 Alpine trips.