Pedal Pusher
Encyclopedia
Pedal Pusher is a play written by the English director and playwright, Roland Smith. Pedal Pusher revolves around the Tour de France
in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was developed from dialogue gleamed from interviews, biographies and archive footage. It premiered at London's Cavendish Gate Theatre in July 2009, starring Tom Daplyn, Josh Cass, Alexander Guiney and Graham O'Mara, directed by Roland Smith and produced by Theatre Delicatessen
.
, Ullrich
and Pantani - and each of their individual struggles - Pantani's horrific 1995 crash and struggle with drugs, Ullrich's depression and subsequent drug allegations and Armstrong's fight against cancer.
Although full of facts about the three cycling legends in the Tour de France, Pedal Pusher is a play about the people. What drives people to such great lengths for sport? How fate plays a role in winning 5 straight Tours, or in not living up to your full potential.
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was developed from dialogue gleamed from interviews, biographies and archive footage. It premiered at London's Cavendish Gate Theatre in July 2009, starring Tom Daplyn, Josh Cass, Alexander Guiney and Graham O'Mara, directed by Roland Smith and produced by Theatre Delicatessen
Theatre Delicatessen
Theatre Delicatessen is a theatre company founded by Jessica Brewster, Frances Loy, Mauricio Preciado Awad and Roland Smith in 2007. The company has taken residency of Cavendish Gate, 295 Regent Street due to their sponsors the Property Merchant Group who own the building...
.
Plot
Pedal Pusher begins with Marco Pantani lying dead in a hotel room. The play goes on to describe a detailed account of the great rivalry, and achievements, of the three cycling legends - ArmstrongLance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
, Ullrich
Jan Ullrich
Jan Ullrich is a German former professional road bicycle racer. In 1997, he was the first German to win the Tour de France. He went on to take five second places and a fourth in 2004 and third in 2005. He is considered one of the best time-trialists in the history of the sport...
and Pantani - and each of their individual struggles - Pantani's horrific 1995 crash and struggle with drugs, Ullrich's depression and subsequent drug allegations and Armstrong's fight against cancer.
Although full of facts about the three cycling legends in the Tour de France, Pedal Pusher is a play about the people. What drives people to such great lengths for sport? How fate plays a role in winning 5 straight Tours, or in not living up to your full potential.