Cadel: Lungs on Legs (Underbelly Cowgate, Belly Laugh) is a one-man show about the first Australian – Cadel Evans – to win the Tour de France. Connor Delves is Cadel Evans. It very quickly becomes hard to differentiate them. Dressed in authentic cycling kit, Delves comes on stage carrying his bike as we see footage of the actual race on screen. The show concentrates on the time trial that would make the difference for Evans to win or lose the whole epic race. Initially, it seems like Evans’ voice is all going to be through that commentary and Delves is ‘just’ going to cycle for an hour – no mean feat in itself – no disrespect intended. The astounding truth is that Delves inhabits Evans’ character throughout the show, talking while cycling for the most part. If this isn’t already a cliché it will become so – this is a real tour de force.
The show is the backstory to Cadel Evans’ love for cycling, the tough training regime to reach the top and the vagaries of being part of a team – the only way to be able to compete at the top. We see a man taken beyond his own endurance – well it should have been, but for the man who was said to be ‘lungs on legs’ with superb lung capacity, the impossible was possible. But could he win The Tour?
We follow the story of punishing regimes, a shy man having to parade in front of cameras and journalists when he just wanted to ride his bike and be the best. We see ‘failure’ – always the bridesmaid, never the bride – and the psychological damage that does to a man’s spirit.
But in Cadel: Lungs on Legs there is one man who saw the promise, nurtured it and always believed in Cadel’s ability to win – his trainer Aldo Sassi. There are a couple of ‘Chariots of Fire’ moments in the show as a result – Sam Mussabini all over again.
Cadel: Lungs on Legs is so obviously a passion project, supported from the start by Evans himself and co-written by Connor Delves. Delves trained for the performance and his passion for cycling is evident. Delves should be proud of himself and his performance. I’m sure Cadel Evans is. But this show isn’t just for cycling enthusiasts – it’s for those who like a great story, passionately told with heart. And lungs!
