The touring production of Beryl by Maxine Peake rides into Theatre by the Lake this week a winner, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.
Fresh from its premiere at Oldham Coliseum Theatre, the four-person play has everything you could wish for – comedy, determination, winning against the odds – and it’s all true.
Peake has reclaimed an important part of women’s sporting history, by bringing the story of the ‘Yorkshire Housewife’ and most successful cyclist of all time – Beryl Burton.
This play is so well crafted it captures your imagination and heart. Breaking the fourth wall at times to bring the audience into the jokes of actors, who have to become hardcore cyclists on stage is so well written, that it is pure joy to watch.
Tori Burgess, James Lewis, Charlie Ryan and Elizabeth Twells are a tight-knit team that take on a full cast of roles to depict the life and times of Beryl Burton MBE, OBE – member of the Morley cycle club near Leeds and international sporting hero.
Burgess plays the young Beryl handing over the role to Twells as she meets the love of her life – Charlie who introduces her to her true love, cycling. While Beryl becomes wife, mother and five times world pursuit champion, 13 times national champion, twice road racing world champion, 12 times national champion, British record holder and world record holder – Charlie becomes her husband and constant support in her sporting career.
This production makes you want to get out on a bike and cycle home – if only we had the Yorkshire grit and determination of Beryl.
The set takes you into the Yorkshire dale, across Lancashire, and into East Berlin, with four cycles and simple lighting effects. The main characters of the production are strong and commanding and the character, cameo roles that the cast takes on bring the extra magic to this stunning production. The German hotel staff who are star-struck by their VIP guest provides an opportunity for a hilarious moment with the German accent. The young Denise, daughter of Beryl and Charlie in their cycle side-car is another highly amusing moment – as is the policeman scene. And we can’t forget the schoolboys at the start of the production – witty, amusing and excellent interpretation.
Director, Chris Lawson has taken a brilliant script and raised it with a pace that keeps the momentum of the story at the perfect setting. The movement between the life stages and successes and disappointments in Beryl’s life moves like the perfect gear change.
The first night had an almost full house, that enjoyed every moment of this production. Laughter and applause for a cast that has brought something very special to Theatre by the Lake.
This is a play not to miss – and if you can’t get to Keswick to see Beryl this week, you can catch it at The Dukes theatre in Lancaster next month.
For a ride of your life at the theatre, please don’t miss Beryl.
Starts 5/5
- Beryl is at Theatre by the Lake until Saturday, May 28 for more details and to book tickets visit theatrebythelake.com
- Beryl is at The Dukes, Lancaster from June 7-11 for tickets visit dukeslancaster.org
- Main photo: Elizabeth Twells and Charlie Ryan in Beryl. Photo credit Chris Payne
