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Sink or swim, that’s what friends are for. Summary
Rating
Good
SWIM is a tender tale told in a heartfelt manner. Written and performed by Liz Richardson, it is based on a true story. In this one-woman show she captures the fallout of tragic events that happen in her local community but, more importantly, to her close friend. Having said that, she is ably supported by the talented musician and composer Carmel Smickersgil, who delivers an ongoing impressive live music soundscape with video projected images, all of which supports the narrative.
The evening starts in a casual manner with a stroll on to the stage. It certainly feels warm and real and in keeping with personal storytelling, even if it lacks a degree of theatricality. Richardson chats and tells us of her frustration with London and her growing need for open spaces, the freedom of hills and her longing for a real community where everyone knows your business. This character is done with the anonymity of London, so off to the Cumbrian hills she goes along with hubby Luke and young child. It’s all very endearing, but perhaps it would be more captivating on the radio, as the narration constantly describes the actions and thoughts of all the characters she goes on to meet; Luke is supportive, Richard is kind, there are two sisters and of course there’s the pub and importantly there is swimming and friendships. Being rather evenly paced and, at times, vocally under-energised, dilutes the sense of the community.
Much of the play seems not to be about swimming but about friendship, loss and recovery. Certainly, it is a powerful backdrop where we come to appreciate “the call of the swim” and how grief can murky the waters but, perhaps more importantly, free us from ourselves as we embrace the ebb and flow of the tide and give way to the natural flowing spirit of water. It’s a powerful metaphor and SWIM goes some way towards showing us the healing power of nature.
The story itself is moving, due to the early tragic deaths of two children. The subsequent pain of grief felt by Richardson and her friends is vividly captured at times. However, the monologue’s direction of travel is compromised in places as the focus of the storytelling occasionally becomes somewhat dissipated, with perhaps too much reliance on the soundtrack to shift the emotional gear.
The show is directed with creativity and flair by Andy Routledge. Back projections reflect actions of home, or of swimming or walking, meeting and greeting, capturing a sense of communities as they share time and space to give one another support. Richardson tries to physically capture some of these moments, reaching out or texting friends, wetsuit on, wetsuit off, all trying to give the audience some visual clues to help identify characters, actions and feelings. The choreographed physical actions work particularly well when grief is intensely destabilising, as it gives the audience a visual recall of specific moments and exchanges between the friends. Richardson gives a worthy performance as she spotlights a sad and life-changing event.
SWIM is a challenging task but writer, producer and performer Liz Richardson can draw you into the heart of her storytelling and you know, in moments of need she would be a friend you want on your side.
Written by: Liz RIchardson
Directed by: Andy Routledge
Musician and composed by: Carmel Smickersgill
Creative Direction by: Jim Dawson
Performance Direction by: Hannah Sibai
Lighting Design byr: Paul Russell
Produced by: Liz Richardson for LR Productions
Swim plays at Omnibus Theatre until 18 March. Further information and bookings can be found here.
