Review: Swim by Liz Richardson, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

“…Funny, tragic and full of northern spirit…”

Swim by Liz Richardson, Theatre by the Lake

By Ken Powell

I sometimes wonder if the team at Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) sit down each year (pandemics allowing) when deciding which productions to produce or host and think, ‘Okay, what can we do to stun our audiences even more than we did last year?’ If they do, I wonder if it every gets boring for them?

I say this because, after reviewing TBTL for a nearly ten years I still inevitably come away from certain productions thinking, ‘Wow. That is possibly the best thing I’ve ever experienced.’ It’s happened again, just now, with Liz Richardson’s astonishing Swim. I don’t know how they do it.

I have to say, from the start, that there are trigger warnings. If you’ve experienced the loss of a child or are close to someone who has, you need to know that this is close to the knuckle. Swim is an emotional rollercoaster that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Also, there are moving visual images projected on to the screen at the back throughout the 75 minute show. If you’re prone to motion sickness, as I am, you might just struggle with a few seconds of one of the opening scenes. I was absolutely fine but had that scene continued much longer I might have felt a little queasy; so if you’re very affected by motion be aware of that.

Those triggers aside, Swim is a must-see studio production. Knowing that Liz Richardson, who wrote and performs the story, is Cumbrian, and the story is set in a little village in the area, I expected something quaint but perhaps not quite possessing the professional finesse I might otherwise see. I was completely side-swiped by the whole thing. It was faultless. Richardson played our hearts like a musical instrument.

Perhaps this was, in part, because of the superb music that accompanied throughout, commentating emotionally on the story being told? Composed and performed by the superbly named Carmel Smickersgill, using a variety of voice, instruments and digital devices, the music was, again, faultlessly professional and carried us along without being intrusive. I’ve rarely seen music performed in this kind of setting with such care and grace without disrupting the flow. This composer/performer is someone I want to see again.

But we came for the story and…well, what a story. Based on the true story telling of Liz Richardson’s return to the north after a career in London and settling into a village where everyone ‘knows your business’, she tells of the ups and downs – all with great humour – of getting used to a very different life to that of the city.

And then tragedy happens. It happens to very real people and they react with very real emotions. We’re guided through this so well we almost feel like we’re there. Perhaps not all the way in, but at the water’s edge, so to speak, and the story becomes tangible.

The water’s edge is not where Richardson stops though. Both metaphor and literal comforter, the waters she and her friends embrace take centre stage. Swimming brings this community together and provides the escape needed when life becomes too much. As a near-non-swimmer (I can manage a couple of lengths in the swimming pool) and confirmed non-outdoors swimmer, I came very close to the temptation to stick my toe in Derwent Water outside of the theatre. I didn’t though: things had been emotional enough for one evening.

Does this show then end in depression and despair. No. Far from it. Just like emerging from the depths of cold waters, Richardson brings us back up for air – fresh northern air – and gives us laughter, deep friendship and, most of all, hope. It’s a distinctly northern hope shared by northern friends which a northern audience will especially understand. It is an astonishing miracle to perform; to take us to those heights, then depths and yet bring us back up to the heights again. There were times when I thought this artist must surely break from script or simply just break down full stop. But not so. Liz Richardson gives a consummate performance. In such an intimate venue as TBTL’s studio, it felt a privilege to be there.

I have little doubt that this show will sell out. My understanding is that tickets are already going like hot cakes. If you’re looking for something that’s deep, full of the spirit of the north but ultimately hopeful, then I urge you to get remaining tickets while you still can. Take tissues though.

Swim is showing at Theatre by the Lake’s Studio until 16 April 2022. And then on tour around the UK. To find out more call the Box Office on 017687 74411 or visit www.theatrebythelake.com.