Ride: A New Musical At Leicester Curve Theatre Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

Ride: A New Musical is performing at Leicester’s Curve Theatre in the Studio Theatre. Based on a true story this award-nominated musical was written by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams and is directed by Sarah Meadows.

The story starts in Boston in 1894 when Annie Londonderry (played by award-winning Liv Andrusier) is approached by two wealthy businessmen arguing whether it is possible for a woman to circumnavigate the globe on a bicycle. Despite having limited experience in the saddle, Londonderry takes the challenge that she can cycle around the world in 15 months and earn $5.000 en route in exchange for the $10.000 bet. She wants to prove not only is possible but also that a woman can do it. Winning a sponsorship deal from Lithia Spring Water she sets off selling advertisements over her body and makes money giving lectures on her way across the globe.

The stage is set as a newspaper office, complete with a world map on the wall. Annie is there, post-cycle ride, trying to get a job as a reporter. Martha Smith (played by Katy Ellis) walks in delivering a tray of water and finds herself to be enlisted as Annie’s sidekick demonstrating the people she met and the adventures she had on her journey. What is true and what is fiction we may never know as, according to her great great great nephew Peter Zheutlin who picked up the story in his books Around the World on Two Wheels and Spin (a reimagining of the story the musical is based upon), Annie always had a “casual relationship with the truth” when a good story was to be found.

Londonderry portrays herself as the all-American loud confident woman. Still, as the drama unfolds we learn that she is a Latvian Jewish immigrant, whose parents died when she was young and she was left to bring up her younger siblings. She married young and had three of her own children who she leaves behind to set off on her mission. Is this what she is running away from or is it a fight for female emancipation that she wants to stand up for?

The show runs for 90 minutes and there is no interval. This works really well as an interval would disturb the flow of the performance which at times feels like a cycle race itself and you come away wanting to feel the wind in your hair and the freedom of the great open road.

Musical direction and keys is from the talented Sam Young who is joined by Cerys McKenna as Assistant Musical Director, Frankie Smith on Guitar and Alex Maxted on percussion. The music, singing and acting is perfection.

Production manager James Anderton leads a team of engineers and stage managers who see the stage transform to train, Asian landscape and suburban backyard throughout the show which is physical and dynamic. The story is fascinating and, although it feels a little muddled at times, the clear message gets there in the end.

The Curve Theatre is located in the Cultural Quarter of Leicester. There is a car park directly adjacent to the theatre and inside the theatre you can purchase drinks and snacks.

Rating: 3/5.

Ride: A New Musical is on at Leicester Curve until Saturday 15 July 2023. Ticket prices vary from £10-26.50. To book online
https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/ride/

The Curve theatre,60 Rutland Street, Leicester,LE11UT.
Box Office 01162423560