Le Tour – for the overweight 40-somethings

The Lowry in Salford is among the first to get in the saddle with Lost Boy Racer, a northern comedy-drama with a touch of blood, sweat and tears.

Directed by Manchester-based director Liz Postlethwaite, Lost Boy Racer follows the story of Sean Racer who used to be an energetic youth hooked on cycling and is now an overweight 40-something tax inspector on the brink of a personal crisis.

He hatches a plan to fulfil a boyhood dream – to ride the Tour de France, or at least to go the full distance on a bike sat on rollers in his shed!

Lost Boy Racer features a remarkable set made entirely from bicycle parts by award-winning metal sculptor Tim Tolkien (great-nephew of J.R.R Tolkein).

Moston-based Thomas Aldersley (Mikos in the television series Atlantis) is Sean Racer and Sean King, physical theatre artist, rock climber and innovative dance specialist plays Lost Boy.

The cast also features Robin Simpson (nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2014 Manchester Theatre Awards), Sarah Groarke and rising Northern star Michaela Longden, who played Hen in Cannibals last year at Manchester Royal Exchange.

Lost Boy Racer will go on to play several venues around the Grand Départ route but premieres at the Lowry on Saturday night and Sunday lunchtime.

Box Office: 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com