Ventoux at Waterside Arts Centre

Andrew Anderson
© Julian Hughes

Ventoux at Waterside, Manchester 20 April 2017 Tickets from £10.00

There have been few more turbulent lives in modern times than that of Lance Armstrong, whose descent from God-like legend to dishonoured demon was even faster than the ones he used to make down mountainsides on his bike. Ventoux, a new play that comes to Sale Waterside Arts Centre this April, takes just 60 minutes of that life and turns it into a theatrical tour de force (or Tour de France, if you will).

On 13 July, 2000 Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani cycled side by side up Mount Ventoux, the most fabled – and most feared – ascent in the Tour de France. At the time it was celebrated as one of the great duals of the sport; the tough Texan against the charismatic Italian. First one would get ahead, then the other, before Pantani finally pulled away to win the stage. But within four years of that victory Pantani was dead from a cocaine overdose, and eight years after that Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour titles for cheating.

Ventoux gives an already compelling story of determination and deceit the full theatrical treatment, which means that even though I already know the outcome I for one can’t wait to watch.

Ventoux at Waterside, Manchester 20 April 2017 Tickets from £10.00

What's on at Waterside

Where to go near Ventoux at Waterside Arts Centre

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Bean and Brush Art Café

Bean & Brush is a family art café in Sale which serves simple, tasty food with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The bonus for parents is the arts and crafts studio which keeps the kids busy being creative while they can join in or relax with a coffee.

Manchester
Park
Grosvenor Square

Grosvenor Square is one of the few open spaces along Oxford Road Manchester; on sunny days, students from the nearby Manchester School of Art come out to bask.

Manchester
Park
Walkden Gardens

Walkden Gardens in the Manchester suburbs has all the makings of a fairy tale garden. As a venue, it’s hard to imagine a more magical gateway, a wonderful escape only a short(ish) stroll from the Brooklands Metrolink stop..

Sale
Restaurant
Meze & More

An intimate supper club in Sale, South Manchester, with a specialist focus on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine.

longford park ben williams
Manchester
Park
Longford Park

Longford Park in Stretford was created in the grounds of Longford Hall, the grand entrance steps of which remain.

Manchester
Park
Wythenshawe Park

With a 17th Century hall set in 109 acres of open parkland, Wythenshawe Park makes a super day out for all ages. Explore the historic woodlands, lush grasslands and meadows; take a stroll around the many themed gardens and check out the sports and leisure facilities on offer.

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