The Year of the Bicycle

The Year of the Bicycle is a play by Joanna Evans

The original text

A play about Amelia and Andile, children from very different backgrounds, who befriend one another over a garden wall. Ten years later, they have become estranged, and, in separate accidents, fall into a concussion at the same moment. They meet again in each other’s confused minds. In the process of trying to piece together fragments of self, their memories draw them back to 1997 – the year their friendship was shattered by a place in which it is impossible for even a child to feel at ease.

The text published by Junkets Publisher in 2016.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2014: Performed at the Cape Town Fringe in October. Directed by Joanna Evans with Amy Wilson and Aphiwe Livi.

2016: Performed at the Market Theatre in May

2023. A restaging of the play performed at at Graeme College as part of The Fringe at the National Arts Festival in July, where it won a Silver Ovation Award. Directed by Dara Beth with Kamogelo Mhlantla and Samantha Carlisle. Also played at the Theatre Arts, Observatory from 28 July to 2 August, the Cradle of Creativity at the Market Theatre and the Woordfees in Stellenbosch.

Performances abroad

Some international performances include:

2017: Performed by the Upstream Theater at the Kranzberg Arts Center in St Louis, USA, January 27–February 12. Directed by Philip Boehm with Eric J. Conners and Magan Wiles.

2017: Performed Off Off Broadway at The Cell, directed by Shariffa Ali with Elaine Ivy Harris and Kambi Gathesha

The play was also staged in Germany.