Writer: Marek Horn
Director: Alisha Finnerty
‘A kaleidoscopic exploration of cultural progress’.
In Wild Swimming we are brought along on a journey through time, as Oscar and Nell traverse from some time in the 1700s to the 1960s , showing us vignettes of them being together on a beach at different times in their lives. In the beginning, Oscar waxes lyrical about the magic of sea swimming, much to the annoyance of Nell who would much prefer to lie in the sand reading Jane Eyre. As the timelines progress closer to the present, Nell becomes the passionate swimmer and Oscar becomes a dejected shell of himself after time at war followed by running his father’s factory.
The play is ambitious, but it is trying to take on too much all at once, particularly for a sixty minute run time. In attempting to depict a romantic connection between two people that alters over decades, there is also commentary on war, gender, privilege and (for some unknown reason) swimming. I was surprised to discover this was written and toured in 2019; it felt more like a student play written as an assignment – a tick-box exercise attempting to get a good grade by hitting on ‘culturally relevant’ themes.
Bewley’s theatre has a tiny stage – there’s nowhere to hide – which brings a heightened intensity for the performers and the audience alike. Siofra Ni Eili’s striking performance is the draw of this play, she seemingly has the theatrical zeal in the veins. It is hard when watching a two-hander not to compare the actors’ performances, and unfortunately Gemma Allan’s did not match Ni Eili’s, though it would be quite the challenge. Ni Eili is Nell; even in the silliest moments I believed her.
There seemed to be no emotional or intellectual core to the piece. I felt this piece needed workshopping; there could have been strong messages here but they were lost amidst throwaway sexual comments and naff jokes about a penis towel. If it had continued as it began, which was light, mildly amusing with a ‘dress up at school and play about’ way it would have been a bit of fun. However, as the timelines progress and allusions to war and gender are stressed, it seems to flounder in murky waters that the writer isn’t confident in. Wild Swimming has potential and perhaps if there had been a focus on the dark or the light it would’ve had more impact.
