New British Musical RIDE explores the incredible true story of Annie Londonderry (actual surname ‘Cohen Kopchovsky’), a Latvian Jewish American immigrant who was the first woman to cycle around the world.
What’s it about?
It’s 1895 and 24 year old Annie returns victorious to America following her global cycling circuit. A plucky pioneer, she pitches her story to the New York World, drawing in unsuspecting company secretary Martha. But as they share her adventures, the cracks begin to show, and Annie’s forced to confront a past she’d rather leave unexplored.
Featuring a four-piece band and a modern pop sound, Bottle Cap Theatre inject new life into Annie’s remarkable story.
Composer and book-writer Freya Smith commented: “As writers we have a particular interest in forgotten female stories. We are extremely excited to be bringing the story of Annie Londonderry, the first woman to cycle around the world in 1894, to the stage. It was Annie’s achievement that first attracted me to her story, but it was researching her life more closely that made me realise what a complex, creative and radical character she was. RIDE is not just a story about a cyclist, it is a story about identity, and how we all wrestle with the idea of who we are, and who we want to be.”
RIDE, plays at the Vaults Festival 3 – 8 March 2020 with a Relaxed Matinee Performance on Saturday 7 March 4.30pm. Get tickets
