Ride: A New Musical – Review

Ride: A New Musical: Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London

22nd July 2023

★★★★★

After an amazing, award winning run at London’s Charing Cross Theatre and most recently Leicester Curve, Ride: A New Musical is cycling through London and stopping at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. It’s 1894 and Annie Londonderry has a wager to settle: can a woman cycle across the world? Annie, with the help from trusty albeit new friend Martha, spins the media into a frenzy with tales of her thrilling escapades. However, with time running out and spiralling press coverage will she really be able to leave her past behind her?

Liv Andrusier returns to her role as Annie Londonderry and it is evident to see why she earnt herself Lead Performer in a Musical at the OffWestEnd Awards. She is able to take the audience on a journey in this one-act show. From arrogant and confident to brutal and emotional, Andrusier is able to show just about every emotion and make it believable and honest. Vocally, she is excellent! From strong belting numbers to the softer, quieter moments she is able to inject pure emotion into each song. Alongside her, Katy Ellis is hilarious as Martha. The subtle humour, which adds to the character, never overshadows Annie but is always there giving audience members another layer to the story. Martha’s quiet, timid character is given space to grow as the plot develops and Ellis does this brilliantly. The relationship between the two actors onstage is natural and relatable. Ride is a one-act show with both actors onstage throughout yet they both give a fantastic, energetic, powerful performance.

Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams’ score is beautiful, funny and poignant at the same time. The title song ‘Ride‘ is catchy and immediately sets the tone of the show whereas ‘Stranger‘ is so emotionally complex that it is almost hard to watch. The dynamics and shifts in emotion during this song is excellent and compelling.

Whilst Annie Londonderry may have cycled round the world in 1884, her story is still relevant today. It is about resilience, perseverance and fighting for yourself. Born in Latvia to Jewish parents, immediately experiencing anti-Semitism, she would always have to fight harder than others – so why not embellish the truth a little? Not only was Annie a hard worker and world record cyclist but she was a storyteller, an actor and writer. Carving out her own successes, her story is still relevant in today’s society.

The set, by Amy Jane Cook, is well constructed and in keeping with the era. The multitude of small prop pieces works well to create the scene and especially to help build Martha’s character. There are some clever moments of staging which highlight Annie’s vulnerability and these moments work excellently. Lighting by Jamie Platt adds to the show and is utilised well throughout.

Ride: A New Musical is simply a joy to watch. Funny, charming, moving – it will have audiences laughing one minute and crying the next. Characters in history such as Annie Londonderry are rarely heard, let alone in a theatrical way and this seems a fitting tribute to such an amazing, creative woman. With a gorgeous, memorable score and outstanding acting this is definitely a show to make sure you catch this summer!

Ride: A New Musical is playing at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant until the 12th August. For information and tickets click here.

Photo Credit: Danny Kaan