20th July Running in circles at the Crucible

I wonder if it is just coincidence that 100 years after the actual events took place in Paris, and less than a week before Paris 2024 kicks off, that a theare production of Chariots of Fire is doing the rounds.

Famous to many for the film and its hypnotic opening soundtrack that seems to induce listeners to engage in slow motion running, Chariots of Fire tells the story of two of Britain's greatest ever athletes, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddel and the differing struggles thay both had to overcome in order to become the best runner possible. 

For Abrahams it was the prejudice he encountered for being both Jewish and for daring to engage the services of a professional coach. For Liddle it was the discovery that the heats of the 100 meters, for which he was the favourite, would be held on a Sunday which went against he tenants of his faith

Last night show in Sheffield, one of my favourite theatres,  was superb helped in no little way by the very inventive staging on a revolving stage and the clever use of treadmills and lighting. At one point the entire theatre was transformed in the blink of an eye into a flag festooned Parisian stadium. 

Even if the size and shape of the the two main athletes left a little to be desired, the cast of over 25 people, often playing multiple parts really made the stage come alive. Or should I say the entire theatre as certain aspects of the narrative involved races taking place that ran around and out of the main auditorium. 

It was a production that left me feeling so worn out watching it I wonder if I coud include it in my 60@60?