First look at rehearsals for the world premiere of Holy Fool at Park Theatre
First look rehearsal images have been released for Holy Fool, a new play about Dmitri Shostakovich's battle to preserve his artistic voice under Stalin, running at Park Theatre from 27 August.
Park Theatre and Wild Yak, together with co-producer Alexander “Sandy” Marshall, have released first-look rehearsal images for the world premiere of Holy Fool, a gripping new play by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers inspired by the extraordinary true story of Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich and his battle to preserve his artistic voice under Stalin's brutal regime.
Directed by Kate Fahy, the production runs at Park Theatre from Thursday 27 August to Saturday 10 October 2026, with a national press night on Thursday 3 September.
Benjamin O'Mahony (Kajaki, Hollyoaks, Ripper Street) stars as Dmitri “Mitya” Shostakovich. He is joined by Jenna Augen (Kyoto, Leopoldstadt) as Nina, Phoebe Pryce (The Merchant of Venice, The Importance of Being Earnest) as Katya and Fergus O'Donnell (RSC, Shakespeare's Globe, I May Destroy You) as Izaak.
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, he composes in code: music that conceals as much as it reveals.
Inspired by real events, Holy Fool is a tense, darkly witty and moving portrait of an artist who fought oppression not with weapons, but with music. Exploring the impossible choices faced by those living under authoritarian rule, the play asks urgent contemporary questions about censorship, propaganda, compromise and the enduring power of art to challenge tyranny.
Producer Oliver King said: “Shostakovich's story feels astonishingly relevant today. Across the world, artists, journalists and writers continue to face censorship, political pressure and persecution. Holy Fool isn't simply a play about history; it's about the courage it takes to keep telling the truth when the consequences become unbearable. Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers have created an intensely theatrical, witty and profoundly moving play, and we're thrilled that Kate Fahy is bringing it to life with such an exceptional cast at Park Theatre.”
Director Kate Fahy said: “This is a play for today. We know that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, artists and intellectuals have been sanctioned for their criticism of the war. They walk the same tightrope that Shostakovich walked, trying to get their message out subversively without losing their life or that of their loved ones. Holy Fool is a funny and humane play which examines one man's challenge, when to express his authentic self and when to comply with a brutal regime in order to stay alive and put food on the table. And keep writing his sublime music so we can marvel at it nearly a hundred years later.”
Alongside the play, the award-winning Carducci Quartet will present Shostakovich in Seven Parts, a 45-minute journey through seven contrasting moments from across the composer's fifteen string quartets. The concerts take place in Park200 at 6pm on Saturday 12 September and Friday 25 September, with further performances subject to demand, and tickets are £15. The quartet is Matthew Denton and Michelle Fleming (violin), Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola) and Emma Denton (cello).
Audiences booking for both Holy Fool and a concert in the same transaction save 20% with the code SYMPHONY20, and existing bookers can get 20% off a concert ticket with QUARTET20.
The production reunites Kate Fahy with a creative team including Will Fricker (design), Oliver Fenwick (lighting) and Julian Starr (sound). Holy Fool runs Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 3pm, at Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP. Age guidance is 11+. Rehearsal photography is by Mark Douet.