Swim is the Griffin Theatre Company’s first production away from its home at Nimrod Street which is currently undergoing major refurbishment. The venue isa theatre within the excellent, multi disciplinary arts venue Carriageworks.
Swim takes us in to the world of E whose big passion in life is swimming, (they are a champion swimmer), and they feel most at peace, anywhere near water.
The play is primarily set in a community swimming pool centre, a popular meeting place for all ages to meet.
The opening scene of the play sees them, a gender fluid person person, hit a wall when they walk in to the ladies dressing room and women give they disapproving looks because they sense E is different,
We see the world through E’s very sensitive eyes. Their observations about the culture of community swimming pools is astute and savvy. For instance, how each lane has a designated purpose, ie there is a lane for therapy sessions, there is a lane for fast swimmers. E mocks some of them.
Samuel James’s outstanding video design plays one of the leading roles in this production. The shimmering water, the diving in, the swimming through..
Romanie Hayes’ set of the perimeter of a community swimming pool worked well. Karen Norris lit the stage well and Brendon Boney’s evocative soundscape added another layer, on top of the text, to communicate the play.
Swim is a two hander. Dani Sib is excellent in their portrayal of the very perceptive, authentic E .
Sandy Greenwood is also excellent as E’s good natured, wise Aunty as well as Samena, the colourful, bubbly cleaner who has an ongoing, cheeky flirtation with E is a fun part of the play.
Swim mixes reality with fantasy. Sometimes it is difficult to determine which is which. I wasn’t keen on this aspect of the production.
My favourite scene is when E and Aunty are sitting down on a bench, have made a fire, and are weaving baskets. E finds it a little challenging. Aunty says, ‘baskets have their own minds sometimes’. E remarks, ‘water is my weaving’.
It is in the bond between E and the Aunty that the play works best.
This is Mununjali writer Ellen van Neerven’s first play. Written with deceptive simplicity it gives audiences a deep dive in to indigenous culture and thoughts. Andrea James’ production serves the play well.
swim is playing Track 8 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, Carriageworks until 27th July 2024. Performance times Mondays to Mondayd at 7pm and Saturdays at 1pm at 7pm.
Production photography by Brett Boardman
https://griffintheatre.com.au/whats-on/swim/
