THE SHOW

BEYOND BORDERS:

The Quixotic Adventures of Sir Ken

Beyond Borders is a show written by Ken Potter about his 8-year around the world adventure. Some features are detailed below.

"Eight years...fifty countries...five continents...deserts...jungles...mountains...

moments of pathos and moments of danger – see how one man

pits wits and mettle against the elements and

engages the world's cultures

in pursuit of his dream..."

Being interviewed in Sydney after his Trans-Australian bicycle trek.

"He nearly froze on a Costa Rican mountaintop, nearly fried in a desert, nearly drowned in a jungle gulf. He fell in love, fell off his bike, and landed on the wrong side of the law when he was accused of being a spy by secret police..."

In the middle of the Darien Gap jungle in Columbia

Synopsis

In 1975, Ken Potter, an irresolute croupier saddened by the recent death of his father, is desperate to escape the London rat-race. Alan Llambias, a casino colleague, tempts him into embarking on a trip to Rio. They argue about routes then compromise on a third unlikely but decisive option – to head east to get to the west. For Ken, an intended 6-month trek turns into an intriguing 8-year saga that, at times, tests his resolve to the limit.

Beyond Borders is a dramatised true story – an epic account of Potter’s colourful, humorous, and, at times, dangerous 8-year, 50-country odyssey. He and Alan shrug off the UK recession, don bowler-hats and pinstripes, and assume the roles of self-appointed British ambassadors: "The economy may be on a sticky wicket and our cricketing hopes may have turned to ashes. But, by jove, the British spirit lives on." as the Daily Mirror reported. In a blaze of publicity, the two would-be adventurers set off to all points east.

Set-backs abound. Alan drops out. Potter, initially devastated but with ever-increasing conviction, perseveres alone across pre-revolutionary Iran and India. In Delhi, he’s drugged by a sect who rip off tourists. Whilst drugged, he imagines his late father. His poverty-stricken dad always wanted to get to Rio in search of a misappropriated family fortune but never could. Ken makes a promise to get to the city in his Dad’s stead.

In Sydney, he falls deeply in love with Natalie. He tries to convince her to join him in his trek but, inspired by all his talk of travel, she fulfils her own lifelong ambition and embarks on a trip to Europe. He’s crestfallen but they stay in touch.

Potter transforms into a “Modern-Day Don Quixote”. Armed with a bicycle for a horse and a singular brand of eccentricity, he pits wits and mettle against the elements. He nearly freezes to death on a Costa Rican mountaintop, all but dies when lost in a desert, and almost drowns in a jungle gulf. He’s accused of being a spy by secret police. His diplomatic persona earns him the appellation of “British Ambassador to the World” from the international media.  His experience in Buenos Aires provides an invaluable insight into Anglo-Argentine relationships just prior to the Falklands War. Whilst the play is not overtly political, it encompasses contemporary issues regarding national borders and identities.

Ken eventually makes it to Rio, 7½ years behind schedule. There’s a wild carnival atmosphere. He once again imagines his dead dad. Natalie turns up out of the blue. They let loose in the carnival then travel back to London with impassioned spirit. Now worldly-wise and very much a changed man, the one-time sad croupier becomes a fulfilled “Citizen of the World”.

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After reading Beyond Borders, Alan Harris, Welsh playwright and winner of a Judges' Award at the 2015 Bruntwood Prize, had this to say:

"...this is a lyrical, rhythmical piece...Ken has a good ear for dialogue, great settings, interesting characters, and a style that actors and a director would be delighted to get to grips with..."

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Steven O'Shea, actor, director, and co-founder of Mandrake Theatre Company had this to say:

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"Before mobile phones, Lonely Planet guides, or satnavs there was 'Sir' Ken, intrepid 'Knight of the Road'. Beyond Borders speaks to the adventurer within us all..."

Some media quotes about the trip...

"The wandering knight rode into 50 countries – including Iran before the revolution, Afghanistan before the Russians, and Argentina before the Falklands..."

– THE DAILY MIRROR UK

"A Modern-Day Don Quixote with a bicycle for a horse and a particular brand of humour and imagination that novelists would love..."

– PAULO MAGAZINE CHILE

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"His mission? To put a smile on the world's lugubrious face. And who in the world doesn't need a good laugh?"

– THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY

Chivalry at the Taj Mahal

"In today's shrinking world there are few regions unconquered and even fewer adventures. But for the bold, the daring, and the British, no road is left untamed..."

– CHANNEL 9 PERTH AUSTRALIA

"One of the greatest eccentrics of our time..."

– CITY RADIO LIVERPOOL

Taking a break at Bariloche in Argentina by the blue-green and placid Lake Nahuel Huapi in the lovely Andean Lake District.

"The strangest thing on wheels ever to hit Edinburgh..."

– BBC SCOTLAND

"It was enough to make a bloke stand tall and shout 'God save the Queen'. Even the sand maidens on Waikiki Beach were left speechless..."

–THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER HAWAII

"A one-man promotional machine, generating enough column inches in the world's

press to turn most politicians green with envy..."

CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING MAGAZINE UK