Cross Pollinate Productions, in association with Red Line Productions presents

The Village Bike

by Penelope Skinner

Directed by Rachel Chant

Red Line Productions – 2017 Season – The Village Bike

Image: John Marmaras

'Isn’t she gorgeous? Hardly been ridden.

She’s been in the garage just gathering dust.'

Becky is pregnant and frustrated. Her husband is more interested in the baby manual than her new underwear so she turns to the porn stash under the bed. As the summer heats up, a brief encounter sends her speeding downhill towards reckless abandon.

From the brilliant mind of playwright Penelope Skinner – described as Britain’s ‘leading young feminist writer’ (The Independent) — The Village Bike premiered at London’s Royal Court in 2011, where it had a sell-out, twice-extended run. It was the winner of the 2011 George Devine Award and won Skinner the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright.

Provocative, hilarious and absolutely crucial, Rachel Chant directs the Sydney premiere of The Village Bike, a darkly comic upending of presumptions about sexuality and pornography.

In conjunction with The Village Bike, Patricia Cornelius' seminal Australian work SLUT will play prior from 13 - 24 June.

Inspired by The Village Bike, a short new Australian work, Tongue Tied by Clare Hennessy, will play prior to the main show from 27 June - 8 July.

Presented by Norton Crumlin & Associates.

"One of the best independent productions of the year...this production could sit proudly on any main stage in Sydney. ★★★★"

- Sydney Morning Herald

"Gabrielle Scawthorn is absolutely
outstanding as Becky. ★★★½ "

- Daily Review

"Under Rachel Chant's direction, the Old Fitz Theatre audience is asked to consider the lives of some seemingly normal people once we look behind closed doors and ask the unspoken questions."

- Broadway World

"Full marks to director Rachel Chant, whose desire for perfection is hereby duly noted. The Sydney Theatre Company couldn’t wish for a more polished and convincing set."

- Stage Whispers

"Sequences oscillate between comedy and drama effortlessly, with moments of breathtaking sexual tension giving an excellent sense of texture and dimension to what we see, hear and feel."

- SuzyGoesSee

Artists

Playwright Penelope Skinner

Director Rachel Chant

Produced by Cross Pollinate Productions

Production Designer Anna Gardiner & Martelle Hunt

Movement Director Shondelle Pratt

Sound Designer and Composition Nate Edmondson

Lighting Designer Hartley T A Kemp

Stage Management Lillian Hannah U

Production Manager Shell McKenzie

Assistant Director Joel Horwood

Lighting Assistant Sophie Pekbilimli

Accent/Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley

Production Photographer Andre Vasquez

Graphic Design How Graphic Design

With Kate Bookallil, Sophie Gregg, Jamie Oxenbould, Rupert Reid, Gabrielle Scawthorn and Benedict Wall

Additional Information

Seating at The Old Fitz Theatre is unreserved.

Drinks are permitted in the theatre. Food is not permitted under any circumstances. This includes bar chips/nuts.

Please note there is a lockout policy in place on all shows at The Old Fitz Theatre. Latecomers are not permitted to enter during the performance and there is a no refunds/exchanges policy in place with regards to latecomers. Please contact boxoffice@redlineproductions.com.au with any issues.