Upending presumptions of male and female sexuality, and the blurred borders between role play and so-called real life, Red Stitch’s first production for 2016 is the Australian premiere of UK playwright Penelope Skinner’s award-winning and hilarious look at pornography and desire, The Village Bike.
Becky is pregnant – and friskier than ever. But she can’t seem to get the attention of her husband, who is preoccupied with preparing for the baby’s months-away arrival. So Becky takes matters into her own hands and sets out on an adventure that starts with the purchase of a used bike from a man in town and takes her further than she ever expected she’d go.
“So yes see this is what I’m saying it’s like this whole part of you gets squashed or hidden or not allowed… What if we could have both?”
The Village Bike played a sell-out run at the Royal Court where it received rave reviews and was twice extended. The play won the 2011 George Devine Award, the Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright at the 2011 Evening Standard Theatre Awards and was nominated at the 2012 Olivier Awards for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.
Penelope Skinner’s other plays include F*cked, first performed at the Old Red Lion, London, in 2008; Eigengrau in 2010; and The Sound of Heavy Rain. Her latest play, Linda opened at the Royal Court Theatre in December 2015.
“Skinner writes wittily and well about women. She overturns all the stereotypes about staid schoolteachers and expectant mums, and creates in Becky a living, breathing, highly passionate woman.” – The Guardian
Director: Ngaire Dawn Fair Featuring: Syd Brisbane, Ella Caldwell, Rick Davies, Matthew Dyktynski, Natasha Herbert, Olga Makeeva Set & Costume: Sophie Woodward Lighting: Clare Springett Composition & Sound: Ian Moorhead Stage Manager: Chichi Nwokocha
The Village Bike
Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, East St. Kilda
Season: 5 February – 5 March 2016
Bookings: (03) 9533 8083 or online at: www.redstitch.net
For more information, visit: www.redstitch.net for details.
Image: The Village Bike – courtesy of Red Stitch Actors Theatre