Various venues, Tue 20-Wed 28 Nov
The idea of two sets of male, lycra-clad buttocks bobbing up and down in front of you for an entire evening isn’t something that appeals to everybody. However, Ventoux is not what you think. This austere, minimalist production, brought to you by 2MagpiesTheatre, is the reenactment of the famous race between cycling legends Lance Armstrong (Alexander Gatehouse) and Marco Pantani (Matt Seage) during their Tour de France 2000 showdown on Mont Ventoux.
Exposed for doping, the cyclists are infamous the world over – Armstrong for his protests of innocence, Pantani for getting caught. Watching as they battle it out on fixed bikes, in front of a large screen projecting footage of the course along Mount Ventoux, the play explores the lives of these two men through the lens of all that’s happened both during and since that famous race, not least Pantani’s death from a cocaine overdose.
Modest to its muscle-taught core, the play features just two actors and pedals along for a mere 60 minutes. With actual race commentary throughout it promises to be an interesting examination of two fallen sporting superstars, delving into their character flaws, brokenness and grasps at sporting glory to the bitter end. Catch Ventoux in Cardigan on Tue 20 Nov; Blackwood Wed 21; Aberystwyth Thurs 22; Pontardawe Fri 23; Maesteg Sat 24 and Brecon on Wed 28.
Tickets: £3-£13. Info: www.2magpiestheatre.co.uk (OH)