Pashley's bikes keep riders on track
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON bicycle maker Pashley Cycles is lending a helping hand to a cycling theatre troupe as it prepares to tour the country with a special Shakespeare season.
The company has donated a number of bikes to the HandleBards, a fully pedal powered theatre troupe who travel nationally and internationally putting on shows.
The two, four-person troupes, one male and one female, tow everything they need for their performances on their bikes.
This year the HandleBards’ 4 for 400 season will see them perform four Shakespeare plays at more than 70 venues across the country.
Pashley’s Managing Director, Adrian Williams, says: “We went to see The HandleBards last summer and were captivated by their energetic performance. We greatly admired their spirited and sustainable approach and were keen to help.
“As good luck would have it they needed some good quality bikes to take them to all corners of the world, so our production team set to work and we delivered the bikes just in time for their first performance. We wish The HandleBards every success.”
The HandleBards have come a long way since their first tour in 2013, when they used cheap bikes and a rickety old trailer, and have been praised for their chaotic, high energy performances.
Producer, Tom Dixon, said: “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Pashley Cycles, it is an honour to be riding their top quality bicycles 1500 miles across the UK.
“Not only is the Pashley Pathfinder a beautiful bicycle, it also rides really smoothly, which will help a lot when we are pulling our trailers full of set props and costumes up the many steep hills of Britain.”
The HandleBards’ all male troupe will perform Much Ado About Nothing at Compton Verney on 22nd June while the all-female troupe will perform Romeo and Juliet and Taming of the Shrew at The Dell in Stratford on 16th and 17th July.