Beryl

Maxine Peake proved her writing chops with this play about champion cyclist Beryl Burton, which gets a speedy revival at the Arcola. And no wonder: it’s a cheering tale for our times, about a woman, who in the face of sneering opposition, went on to not only dominate women’s cycling but to become the first sportswoman in history to break a men’s competitive record, out-pacing everyone in the 12-hour time-trial.