From Press Release

“A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO”

Socially-Relevant Theatre Troupe Gets Personal at the Toronto Fringe Festival

Founded in 2011, Theatre of the Beat (TOTB) has quickly gained a reputation as a socially-relevant, group of road warriors, that don’t shy away from the tough topics. Having performed across the country in theatres, high schools, churches and prisons, the troupe has played to a variety of audiences, always inspiring dialogue and discussion.

The newest addition to the troupe’s growing repertoire is entitled A Bicycle Built For Two. It’s a thought-provoking comedy which follows three couples at various stages in their relationships: engagement, the empty-nest, and separation. The result: a light- hearted crack at the realities of human relationships, the institution of marriage and the nebulous art of relationship maintenance.

“Relationships begin, relationships grow, and sometimes relationships end,” says director Rebecca Steiner. “This is a play about relationship – and being the relational creatures that we are, it’s about how we interact with each other – and that’s inherently comical. ”

“Over the past ten years, relationship issues between couples have been the second most frequent reason people seek counselling,” says Waterloo’s Shalom Counselling Services executive director, Wanda Wagler-Martin. “We decided it was time to do some health promotion and education.” With a reputation for challenging theatre, and given the troupe’s success rate, Shalom Counselling decided to commission TOTB to write a play that would act as a catalyst for discussion. “It had to be a comedy,” says playwright Johnny Wideman. “Laughter disarms. It allows you to raise the questions people are too afraid to ask.”

“Controversial and thought-provoking, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.” -City TV (Toronto, ON)

“This theatre company is one to watch.” – CBC Manitoba

**** “As hilarious as [they are] intellectually astute.” -NOW Magazine (Toronto)

**** “Tight and energetic.” – Winnipeg Free Press (Winnipeg)