Suitable for ages 14+ Content: This production contains strong language and haze.
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.
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 matter: the enchanting romantic love story of La Boheme.
There’s just one problem – his 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 coming to London, 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.