National accessible cycling charity Wheels For All hopped on their bikes and rode to Shakespeare North Playhouse to celebrate and promote their participation in the upcoming production A Play for The Living in a Time of Extinction.
21 members from Wheels for All completed an 8-mile bike ride, travelling from Westvale in Kirkby to Shakespeare North Playhouse. Clad in a colourful array of eye-catching neon lycra, the group brought a smile to Prescot residents and theatre goers alike on their way.
The charity will be participating in the upcoming touring production A Play for The Living in A Time Of Extinction which will be performed at the Playhouse later this month. A group of 20 local cyclists will take to the stage and cycle throughout the shows, generating all of the energy needed to power each performance.
Wheels for All is a national accessible cycling charity which promotes inclusive cycling through a range of successful community engagement programmes that give people the opportunity to cycle on a regular basis; through help, support and guidance.
Wheels for All at the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Programme Manager, Nancy Wayne, from Wheels For All Knowsley, said:
‘I joined Wheels For All 12 years ago as a rider when I was going through a really tough time. My sister was terminally ill, and I needed an outlet. I started riding and just fell in love because it was my opportunity to just escape from everything and switch off.’
‘If anyone is interested in joining Wheels For All just come and do it! The impact is huge both mentally and physically. It’s social and everyone welcomes you with open arms and supports your progress. It’s for anybody and everybody.’
Dave Carson, a rider who will be cycling in A Play for The Living in a Time Of Extinction, has been a long-time volunteer for Wheels For All. Speaking about the charity Dave said:
‘You get all the back up you need you train properly and there’s always people you can talk to. Some of the people come with physiotherapists or carers and we’re an aid. It’s so easy to get involved and you get so much out of it. We just need more people!’
Directed by Nathan Powell, A Play for The Living in a Time Of Extinction, is a bold experiment in eco-theatre making. Co-produced by the Barbican and Headlong, this production is an exploration of how touring theatre can be made more sustainably.
This innovative one woman show takes us on a life-changing journey to confront the urgent ecological disaster that is unfolding around us. Part ritual, part battle cry, and powered entirely using 4 bicycles that will be set up on the Cockpit Theatre stage, this fiercely feminist off-grid production is a moving exploration of what it means to be human in an era of man-made extinction.
Shareesa Valentine will take on the lead role of Naomi in this ground-breaking production when it arrives at Shakespeare North Playhouse May 16th-20th. Shareesa is a Manchester based actress, nominated for best female actress in 2022 at the Black British Theatre Awards.
A Play for The Living in a Time of Extinction will be staged at Shakespeare North Playhouse 16th-20th of May.
You can buy tickets on the Shakespeare North Playhouse website, in the Shakespeare North Playhouse Shop or by phoning the ticket line on 0151 433 7156.
Find out more about cycling in Knowsley
Knowsley has many cycling routes and paths to help you get out and about, either travelling to work, with the family or for exercise. Find out more about cycling in Knowsley on the council website.