Holy Fool has opened for its world premiere at The Park Theatre, the new play by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers inspired by the extraordinary true story of legendary Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich and his battle to preserve his artistic voice under Stalin’s brutal regime.
Directed by Kate Fahy, the production is now playing until Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Benjamin O’Mahony stars as Dmitri “Mitya” Shostakovich. He is joined by Jenna Augen as Nina, Phoebe Pryce as Katya and Fergus O’Donnell as Izaak.
One of the twentieth century’s greatest composers. One wrong note could cost him everything.
At the height of Stalin’s reign of terror, celebrated composer Dmitri Shostakovich walks a perilous tightrope. One wrong note could topple him; one perfectly judged crescendo might save his life. Under the constant threat of torture and death, he must appease a brutal despot – while quietly resisting him.
Outwardly compliant, inwardly defiant, Shostakovich composes in code: music that conceals as much as it reveals.
Inspired by remarkable real events, Holy Fool is a tense, darkly witty and moving portrait of an artist who fought oppression not with weapons, but with music.
Tickets here.
Top image: Holy Fool at the Park Theatre. Photo by Mark Douet