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SPIN
NOVEMBER 19 - 23

“Part theatre, part music gig, part spoken word poetry, part documentary: whatever it is, it is brilliant”

— Toronto Star

Inspired by the incredible true tale of the first woman to ride a bike around the world in 1895, this epic cycle of songs and stories explores the early connections between bicycles, advertising, and women’s liberation.

Award winning author, singer/songwriter, and theatre maker Evalyn Parry takes audiences on a musical journey from the dawn of the bicycle in the 19th century to her own experiences riding her bike through the streets of Toronto and Montreal. Parry’s co-star is a vintage bicycle – suspended on a mechanic’s stand and outfitted with microphones and sound equipment. The bike is played by percussionist Brad Hart, who conjures an astonishing array of sounds to score Parry’s songs and monologues.

SPIN premiered at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in 2011 and has been on a multi-year tour ever since, playing to packed houses and rave reviews in towns and cities across North America. This remount features some significant and exciting changes from the original production:  several news songs that have created a whole different ending to evalyn’s story, and brand new musical arrangements for string trio have been created to accompany the show, adding new depth, drama, humour and ear candy to this innovative song cycle.  Evalyn is no stranger to our stage – directing countless Young Creators Unit shows as the head of our Queer Youth Arts Program, and developing new work with Independent Aunties as part of our Artist Residency Program.

image of evalyn parry by Tanja-Tiziana

by EVALYN PARRY
directed by RUTH MADOC-JONES
featuring EVALYN PARRY + BRAD HART
with DON KERR, KATHLEEN KAJIOKA + ANNE LINDSAY
arrangements for string trio by MICHAEL HOLT
production design BETH KATES