In Italy during the 18th century, an average of 5,000 boys were castratedannually. Almost exclusively, they came from poor families. Their treble voices intact, castration promised those who survived a chance to earn fame and fortune by singing female roles in the opera. A few made it, but most didn’t and were swept aside. Stiletto, a new musical with Music and Lyrics by three-time Grammy nominee, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Matthew Wilder (Disney’s Mulan), Book by double Olivier Award nominee Tim Luscombe (Noël Coward’s Easy Virtue, Terrence Rattigan’s The Browning Version and Harlequinade), is set in Venice, Europe’s opera capital. During the winter of 1730-31, Venice is a city bristling with opportunity where fortunes can be made but life is cheap. A city of lustre and intrigue with plenty of chances of success for Marco, who was castrated as a child to retain his perfect voice. Opera stars being the rock stars of their day, Marco is on course to be an 18th-century Jagger or Bowie, to snag a powerful patron and play leading roles. In a busy square he meets Gioia, confident, strong willed... and supremelytalented. But despite her musical gifts, being the daughter of an African slave there’s no chance for her to fulfil her dreams. Marco recognises her talent and, sensing that they are both outsiders as well as sharing a love for music, they fall in love. In an attempt to get her on stage, Marco introduces Gioia to society and his patron, the Contessa Azzurra, but at the end of the evening, a body lies dead and Gioia is hauled off to prison. To free her, Marco must overcome the demons of his past and the morally corrupt forces of the present.

Packed with over twenty of KC and the Sunshine Band’s legendary hits including “That’s The Way (I Like It), “Give It Up” and “Please Don’t Go”, GET DOWN TONIGHT is the brand new feel-good West End musical inspired by the early years of singer, songwriter, producer and musician Harry Wayne Casey (KC). Making its London premiere this Autumn, get ready to experience the warmth of KC’s ‘Sunshine Sound’ - an infectious blend of disco, funk, R&B and pop - that continues to inspire artists from all genres and fans of all ages today. Written by J. F. Lawton (Pretty Woman: The Musical) and developed with Harry Wayne Casey (KC) himself, GET DOWN TONIGHT: THE KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND MUSICAL shines a spotlight on the true story of KC's early years in 1970s Miami, in a heart-thumping tribute to friendship, love and the music that brought a whole generation together. So grab those boogie shoes, dust off your flares and get ready to groove as London welcomes GET DOWN TONIGHT: THE KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND MUSICAL for the very first time.