Life is short, and the Tour de France is long. State Theatre Company South Australia presents Brink Productions’ Symphonie of the Bicycle in the Space Theatre – Adelaide Festival Centre this May, before heading to HotHouse Theatre, Wodonga, in June.
Over 200 years ago a volcano erupts over Indonesia spreading an ash cloud all the way to Europe, to the home of inventor Karl Von Drais. When his beloved horse passes away due to the ash, Karl struck by a moment of inspiration devises a two-wheeled man-powered mode of transport, the humble bicycle.
Flash forward to the present day where we meet Hew, an aspiring cyclist stuck in a rut of dead-end jobs and missed opportunities. He harbours a pathological envy of his successful high school friend, Jake, now a professional cyclist.
The story of Hew runs parallel with that of two-time Tour de France champion Gino Bartali, who risked his life during WWII to secretly transport documents to save Jewish people in Northern Italy. A chain of uphill battles, twists and turns leads to a most unlikely meeting on a mountain.
Written by and starring Hew Parham, this gem of a show weaves together a series of outrageous characters and stories across time and space in an absurdly hysterical, yet ultimately moving portrait of the quest for glory and heroism.
Directed by Adelaide legend Chris Drummond, Symphonie of the Bicycle is a funny, heartfelt show about cycling and obsession, envy, ambition, winning and losing, and finding the inner grit to dominate the mountain stages of life.
“Beautifully written, a deft mix of light and dark, with many amusing moments.” – The Advertiser
Director: Chris Drummond | Writer and Performer: Hew Parham | Composer and Sound Designer: Will Spartalis | Set, Costume and Lighting Design: Wendy Todd | Associate Lighting Designer and Technical Operator: Aaron Herczeg | Production Manager: Lachlan Turner: Dramaturg: Caleb Lewis
Symphonie of the Bicycle
Space Theatre – Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide
Season: 14 – 25 May 2024
Information and Bookings: www.statetheatrecompany.com.au
The Butter Factory Theatre, Lincoln Causeway, Gateway Island, Wodonga
Season: 25 – 29 June 2024
Information and Bookings: www.hothousetheatre.com.au
Image: Hew Parham (supplied)