‘Medals aren’t meant to be worn on the shirt; they are to be worn on the soul.’
Gino Bartali (1914-2000)

After a SOLD-OUT season in January 2023, you don’t want to miss this funny, heartfelt one-man show about cycling and obsession, envy and ambition, winning and losing, and finding the inner grit to dominate the mountain stages of life.

Hew is a passionate wannabe cyclist. But Hew is in a malaise. Stuck in a cycle of dead-end jobs and missed opportunities he has long harboured a pathological envy of his more successful high school friend, now professional cyclist, Jake.

Told in parallel with our hero’s tale is the story of the great Gino Bartali (1914 – 2000), winner of the Tour de France in 1938 and 1948, who, in WWII, risked his life to save Jewish lives in Northern Italy by secretly transporting documents in his bicycle.

In Symphonie of the Bicycle these stories combine to create an absurdly hysterical yet ultimately moving portrait of the quest for glory and heroism.

— Original commissioning partners Merrigong Theatre and Adelaide Festival Centre. —

Supported By:

Previously Supported By:

CAST
Performer Hew Parham

CREATIVES
Writer Hew Parham 
Director Chris Drummond
Composer + Sound Designer Will Spartalis
Set, Costume + Lighting Design Wendy Todd
Associate Lighting Designer + Technical Operator Aaron Herczeg
Dramaturg Caleb Lewis
Production Manager Lachlan Turner
Stage Manager Marg Crompton

★★★★★ ‘A cracking script, performed by a skilled actor and physical theatre practitioner proved the right recipe for success’ Glam Adelaide

★★★★★ ‘You’d be bonking mad to miss it!’ Matilda Marseillaise

★★★★.5 ‘The performance culminated in a rapturous standing ovation, leaving the audience both entertained and enlightened’ What’s the Show

‘Hew Parham has the audience in the palm of his hand and holds them there.‘ InDaily

‘a shining example of the way polished stagecraft, inventive sound and lighting, and emotionally astute writing can combine to tell an intricate story in an utterly compelling way.’ InDaily

‘This show is captivating.’ InDaily

‘While Parham’s remarkable skills in comedy and physical theatre are on full display for the entire 90 minutes, there are deeper themes at work. His writing is equally impressive.’ InDaily

‘Symphonie de la Bicyclette is beautifully written, a deft mix of light and dark, with many amusing moments, yet not a little tragedy.’ The Advertiser – SA Weekend

‘Parham’s ability to flit seamlessly between characters and timelines was remarkable’ Arts Hub

Ranked Symphonie de la Bicyclette #2 in the top 10 things to in Adelaide while at the Tour Down Under! SA LIFE

For further details on touring this show, please email John Glenn here.

Download Teacher’s Resources here