The Bicycle Men

Synopsis

Steve. a hapless American tourist, crashes his bike and encounters the twisted inhabitants of a sinister French village. Mayhem ensues as Steve steps into a surreal world of depraved marionettes, creepy bicycle repair men and some of the most oddball characters this side of The League of Gentlemen. Only the god of bicycle can save the day!

Our Review:

12 November 2007

Many years ago the King’s Head presented a wonderful poetic play by Stewart Parker, Spokesong, set in a bicycle shop in Belfast during the Troubles. The characters in The Bicycle Men have a much less philosophical relationship with their pedals: they’re all stuck in a French village doing sketches and songs in an old-fashioned revue format.

The theatre is packed, though, because one of the bikers, Steve, is played by Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, no less. He turns out to be a chirpy little bald guy with a distinct facial resemblance to Jasper Carrott. He sings a lullaby to a baby that starts off like an item on Playschool and segues into a cynical sermon of lust being love and there’s no after-life.

Steve’s wheels are busted, so he’s stopped by a repair shop. He mooches off to the puppet show, the bistro and a youth hostel where his sleep is interrupted by a Dutch dork singing a Japanese folk song. This is marginally funnie...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Marie McLaughlin - 15 November 2007:

Absolutely excellent! I don't know what Coveney is on....the audience absolutely loved it and were rolling in the aisles! Mark Nutter's music and lyrics will have you laughing long after the show has ended. Joe Liss's strong characterizations leave you in wonderment. John Rubano's strong voice and comic timing are a force to behold. And Dan Castallaneta's deadpan Steve is a marvel. Go -- you won't regret it....

Read more and add your own review