Written by actress Maxine Peake, Beryl tells the remarkable true story of unsung champion cyclist Beryl Burton. This inspirational tour-de-force is fuelled by rhubarb, northern charm and fierce determination.
Beryl Burton is quite possibly the most successful woman you’ve never heard of. She dominated cycling in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, becoming world pursuit champion, national pursuit champion, road racing world champion, national road racing champion, British record holder, world record holder, an MBE and an OBE. What’s even more remarkable is that Beryl had a heart condition and early in her life doctors had advised that she could never take part in strenuous activities.
When Maxine Peake was given Beryl’s autobiography as a gift she questioned why no one had ever written a play about her, and so she wrote it herself. Her debut stage play, Beryl began as a radio play, Beryl: A Love Story on Two Wheels, in which Maxine also starred. It was adapted for the stage in 2014, premiering at Leeds Playhouse coinciding with the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.
Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s production opens in Oldham from Saturday 7 – Saturday 21 May, then tours to Theatre by the Lake, Keswick (24 – 28 May) and The Dukes, Lancaster (7 – 11 June).
