January 24th | by Connor Delves
The intersection of art and sport isn’t always at the top of my mind, but it’s pretty interesting to think about. (One of my favorite Quench’d stories was by a watercolorist who painted cyclocross races). There are many similarities: sport, like art, can be graceful, can be harsh, and can evoke emotions. Art is human expression, as is sport. Art can be serious and fun, as can sport.
An example of art that’s also so very clearly sport is featured in today’s Quench’d story. This is about a one-man stage play that tells the story of Australian Tour de France-winning cyclist Cadel Evans. The sole actor, Connor Delves, is cycling for the entire duration of the play.
I had the chance to meet Connor, the actor in and creator of Cadel: Lungs on Legs, in London this past fall at Rouler Live. The play is about the story of Cadel’s life, focusing on his 2011 Tour de France win,
Connor was so kind and excited to share the story of his play that I knew I needed to know more about this unique form of art and sport. I hope you enjoy this piece, and if you live in Australia, note the cities + dates where Cadel The Play is being performed!
- Bivo's Marketing Team Lead Keaton Smith
The intersection of art and sport isn’t always at the top of my mind, but it’s pretty interesting to think about. (One of my favorite Quench’d stories was by a watercolorist who painted cyclocross races). There are many similarities: sport, like art, can be graceful, can be harsh, and can evoke emotions. Art is human expression, as is sport. Art can be serious and fun, as can sport.
An example of art that’s also so very clearly sport is featured in today’s Quench’d story. This is about a one-man stage play that tells the story of Australian Tour de France-winning cyclist Cadel Evans. The sole actor, Connor Delves, is cycling for the entire duration of the play.
I had the chance to meet Connor, the actor in and creator of Cadel: Lungs on Legs, in London this past fall at Rouler Live. The play is about the story of Cadel’s life, focusing on his 2011 Tour de France win,
Connor was so kind and excited to share the story of his play that I knew I needed to know more about this unique form of art and sport. I hope you enjoy this piece, and if you live in Australia, note the cities + dates where Cadel The Play is being performed!
- Bivo's Marketing Team Lead Keaton Smith
I grew up in the back of my parents’ bike shop in Perth, Australia. Bikes, bottles, helmets, gels…everywhere! I was always competing in some form or another. Running, riding, swimming, playing footy, cricket, athletics. It was an integral part of my upbringing and philosophy my parents believed strongly in. It was always sport, and drama. At one point I had to choose and drama was the choice but sport has remained an important part of my life. Cadel really brought cycling back to life after some tough years. He gave everyone a new focus after a dark time. He showed Australians what was possible. Dad happened to be in the same mountain bike World Cup as a teenage Cadel. One of them lapped everyone and shocked the world. The other is my dad. Still super proud he did that though.
Cadel winning the 2011 Tour de France is something that really captured our national spirit. How could you not be inspired?
I grew up in the back of my parents’ bike shop in Perth, Australia. Bikes, bottles, helmets, gels…everywhere! I was always competing in some form or another. Running, riding, swimming, playing footy, cricket, athletics. It was an integral part of my upbringing and philosophy my parents believed strongly in. It was always sport, and drama. At one point I had to choose and drama was the choice but sport has remained an important part of my life. Cadel really brought cycling back to life after some tough years. He gave everyone a new focus after a dark time. He showed Australians what was possible. Dad happened to be in the same mountain bike World Cup as a teenage Cadel. One of them lapped everyone and shocked the world. The other is my dad. Still super proud he did that though.
Cadel winning the 2011 Tour de France is something that really captured our national spirit. How could you not be inspired?
I created the piece. It came from a place of wanting to create a piece for myself about my country and my people, particularly athletes. I knew I could bring the sport and theatre together. This is the product. I co-wrote with Steve McMahon a fantastic playwright and friend and Mark Barford my director and friend has been integral to the creation of the piece too.
It’s about Cadel’s life, with a heavy focus on that 2011 winning Tour de France and the unbelievable obstacles he had to overcome in getting there. Truly. A remarkable feat. It’s framed within that historic time trial that rode him into the lead and yellow jersey. We flash back to all the events that got him there and show some of the true difficulties he faced in his career…many that people had no idea about. I ride live on stage…for the whole show. So it’s truly bringing theatre and sport together, like never before. I am an athlete and an actor and I get to tell this epic story in melding these worlds.
I created the piece. It came from a place of wanting to create a piece for myself about my country and my people, particularly athletes. I knew I could bring the sport and theatre together. This is the product. I co-wrote with Steve McMahon a fantastic playwright and friend and Mark Barford my director and friend has been integral to the creation of the piece too.
It’s about Cadel’s life, with a heavy focus on that 2011 winning Tour de France and the unbelievable obstacles he had to overcome in getting there. Truly. A remarkable feat. It’s framed within that historic time trial that rode him into the lead and yellow jersey. We flash back to all the events that got him there and show some of the true difficulties he faced in his career…many that people had no idea about. I ride live on stage…for the whole show. So it’s truly bringing theatre and sport together, like never before. I am an athlete and an actor and I get to tell this epic story in melding these worlds.
I think the grit and physical effort being shown in front of the audience. It’s a high octane show. People see (and feel) the sweat. I’m really sending it on stage. Really drinking the water mix. Really riding in the big ring. All of it. The heartbreak is all shown right in front of them. It’s a remarkable life and career.
There’s no corners cut in the show and I think people love that. It’s authentically the sport. I was always a big believer that sport is about the effort. So I was adamant that had to be a part of the performance.
Come and see for yourself. And you can see how Bivo keep my hydrated too ;)
I think the grit and physical effort being shown in front of the audience. It’s a high octane show. People see (and feel) the sweat. I’m really sending it on stage. Really drinking the water mix. Really riding in the big ring. All of it. The heartbreak is all shown right in front of them. It’s a remarkable life and career.
There’s no corners cut in the show and I think people love that. It’s authentically the sport. I was always a big believer that sport is about the effort. So I was adamant that had to be a part of the performance.
Come and see for yourself. And you can see how Bivo keep my hydrated too ;)
Australian Preview - @ Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race - Jan 30 - Performed at Geelong Arts Centre
Australian Premiere Season - PERTH - Cygnet Theatre, Feb 3-11
Adelaide Fringe Season - Goodwood Theatre & Studios - Feb 19 - March 21
Australian Preview - @ Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race - Jan 30 - Performed at Geelong Arts Centre
Australian Premiere Season - PERTH - Cygnet Theatre, Feb 3-11
Adelaide Fringe Season - Goodwood Theatre & Studios - Feb 19 - March 21
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