Cadel: Lungs On Legs theatre review – Racing to glory
Connor Delves powers through sweat, grit and the punishing kilometres of the Tour de France in a thrilling piece of theatre
One of this year’s most talked-about shows, Cadel: Lungs On Legs is deservedly drawing big crowds to Goodwood Theatre. It tells the true story of Cadel Evans, the first and only Australian to win the Tour de France at the age of 34 (which is pretty old by cycling standards). It’s a compelling tale, brought vividly to life by Connor Delves and impeccably staged. Delves cycles and sweats (on Cadel’s real-life Tour-winning bike) and huffs and puffs; bikes break and tumbles are taken as a constantly changing backscreen interweaves race stats and real-life race footage, while the on-stage audience become roadside fans, cheering every victory.
One suspects that top sportspeople aren’t all that easy to live with and, commendably, Delves and co-writer Steve McMahon’s script does not shy away from the fanatically driven side of Cadel’s personality. But perhaps that helps us identify with him more, particularly when he articulates his feelings around his beloved sport’s terrible reputation for doping and cheating. At these points he becomes an everyman, simply a straightforward Aussie who puts the work in, even though we know he’s also a bit of a superhuman.
Blending sport and drama isn’t easy, especially when we already know the result; it’s hard to raise the stakes when we know our hero will eventually ascend the winners’ podium. Yet somehow Cadel sweeps us all along with him. We grind out the miles together, so when he eventually pulls on that hallowed yellow jersey we feel we’ve earned it too. This is pitch-perfect theatre-making that manages to be utterly clear, technically brilliant and emotionally compelling all at the same time. Gold medals all round.
Cadel: Lungs On Legs continues at Goodwood Theatre and Studios until March 21; picture: Adam Kenna.