Ride is one of the hottest new British Musicals at the moment. Starting life at the Vaults festival, a short run last year at The Charing Cross theatre (which I saw and adored) it is now back for a run at the Southwark Playhouse.

This plucky musical tells the true story of Annie Londonderry, the first woman to cycle around the world in 1894. We hear about how Annie’s challenge started off the back of a wager with strict conditions as to what counts as success as well as the trials she faces along the way however the audience learns that the hardest part of the journey is the most unpalatable one. When Annie returns to America in 1895 the Latvian Jewish immigrant realises she is still having to work hard to prove herself, despite her accomplishment.

The story of Annie Londonderry is an inspired one for a musical and writers, Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams combine all of the elements wonderfully. There is fact that these remarkable women are getting their stories told but on top of that the story is layered with determination, friendship and love as well as the musings of the difference between truth and reality. There are also many reflections back on todays society, not only about women’s roles but also about how minorities are treated and the lengths that some people can go to in order to escape this. It is a book with many concepts and sometimes it is difficult to express these all within the 90 minutes but Smith and Williams don’t try too hard to cram in expose on all of them nor force resolutions down the audiences throat and instead plant seedlings.

The story of Annie Londonderry (formerly Annie Kopchovsky) is framed as a job interview for a newspaper with the audience themselves the interview panel. Annie enlists the help of Martha, a secretary to assist her in telling her story and she takes on the role of all of the characters that Annie met along the way. This is a clever device as it allows Annie to speak directly to the audience and gives Martha’s character a purpose. As the show progresses we flick back to the interview room less and less until the only need for us to do so is Annie’s breakdown, a pivotal moment for both Annie and Martha in the show.

The music compliments the story wonderfully and is a blend of musical theatre with heavy pop influences. The title song Ride has been ingrained in my brain since I saw the show previously and is a huge ear worm that I could imagine featuring in audition rooms soon! However the music is more than just one ear worm and they was also a lovely amount of variety within the music style which kept the show interesting as it progressed.

Liv Andrusie took on the role of Annie and she is is an unquestionable star. She delivers everything that this part requires and more, from a huge powerhouse voice and a confident unwavering delivery through to the moments where Annie breaks down showing more vulnerable, lonely woman looking for an escape. She captures the audiences attention the moment she steps foot on stage and for the subsequent 90 minutes I was unable to take my eyes off her.

Katy Ellis took on the role of Martha Smith. Martha begins the show as an unassuming and timid secretary but soon gets swept up with Annie, she takes on everyone from Celine the French boarder officer who Annie has a romantic involvement with to Fred Rose a professor who Annie falls in love with during her journey. Ellis succeeds in not only delivering all of these roles but in the moment making the audience forget that Ellis is playing Martha who is playing these roles and instead the audience simply buys into Fred West or whomsoever she may be playing at that time.It would be easy for a performer to get lost next to the Andrusie however Ellis’ calm portrayal of Martha is in perfect harmony to the whirlwind that is Andrusie’s portrayal of Annie and together they balance each other out perfectly.

There is also an incredible amount of attention to detail within the show, the multi layered costumes that change as the story develops, the props that seemingly appear from many hiding places within the set, the projections that depict Annie’s journey and the set itself, designed by Amy Jane Cook, unfolding eventually as the audience rides towards the finale.

Ride is a show that succeeds on so many levels, an intriguing clever story with an well thought out framing device, songs that I want to hear time and time again and a cast who play their parts to perfection.

Ride is on at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) until 12th August. You can find out more and book tickets here. I must also commend (as I did when reviewing Benjamin Button) with the programme breakdown regarding costs of putting on Ride, this transparency really helps the audience understand why making a show financially successful is just so hard.

If you like this review you might also like my review of Choir of Man, Groundhog Day and Ain’t Too Proud.