Despite – or perhaps because of – the decimation of Britain’s public swimming pools, swimming in the wild has becoming astonishingly popular, especially in the North of England. Inspired by this, the actor and theatre maker Liz Richardson created Swim, which premiered originally with a cast of three at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick in 2022. Swim was also inspired by Richardson’s move to the Peak District and her acceptance – immersion if you like – into a new community, very different from the London she left behind. A further inspiration was the death of Charlie Craig, a promising teenage cyclist who died in his sleep on the 20th of January 2017.
In this new version of Swim, Richardson has blended these themes into a life-affirming monologue which is accompanied, as in the original version, by a live score performed by the Manchester-based composer and musician Carmel Smickersgill. Words and music as well as complementary projections create an audio-visual environment that simulates immersion. How well this works depends on the size of the venue and it is a little underwhelming in Clapham’s rather cavernous Omnibus Theatre. Similarly, Richardson’s movements in and across the large space sometimes feel awkward, especially at the very end when she crosses to Smickersgill’s keyboard to play the closing notes. It is a jarring moment in an otherwise smooth production of a beautifully written piece of storytelling.
Review by Louis Mazzini
“The sensation of water
flowing around my body
happily floating down a river,
watching the banks pass me by.
I like to take the same
journey as a river
it’s the lack of control
which feels so good,
it’s good to leave my
life alone for a while.”
Liz grew up in the Lake District. She spent her childhood walking in the fells, playing in the lakes and in the river at the end of her garden. After time away living in the City, Liz returns to the hills and into a new village for a new chapter of her life. But when her new community is rocked by tragedy, Liz rediscovers outdoor swimming and how it can keep both her and her new friends afloat.
SWIM is a tender tale based on a true story, featuring live music and video projection. Written and performed by Liz Richardson (Gutted), SWIM premiered at Theatre by the Lake in Spring 2022 ahead of a rural and UK theatre tour.
SWIM
PRESENTED BY LR PRODUCTIONS
A show about outdoor swimming, community and holding each other.
16th – 18th March 2023
https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/
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