ED2022 4/5 Reviews ED2022 Theatre Reviews

Swell (Tom Foreman Productions)

By | Published on Friday 26 August 2022

‘Swell’ is a heartfelt cry, a climate play of profound urgency. While the story is a fictionalisation, its foundations couldn’t be more real: based on the true-life town of Fairbourne, this impassioned play takes place in Swell, a town set to be underwater by the 2050s – a fact revealed to its citizens via BBC News. Explored through the eyes of two siblings, struggling to support one another whilst grieving their father, we see how this once idyllic seaside location becomes derailed by the looming inevitability of its demise, as its residents must choose whether to stay or leave. Although the pacing and some performances could have been tighter, the characters and soundscapes effectively immerse us in the ecosystem of this town. This is a tightly written piece that shows how storytelling can engage us in the human impact of climate change. We need more stories like this.

Underbelly Cowgate, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Eleanor Magic]

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