Reading: The Swell

First Commissions Readings

HighTide’s First Commissions scheme is for talented new writers who have never been commissioned to write a full-length stage play. We work with the writers to develop an idea from conception to full production. We are proud to present work-in-progress readings of the plays on our 2017/18 First Commissions programme.

The Swell by Isley Lynn

Moira and Bel are getting married. It’s a queer fairytale until Bel’s “Best Man” Dolly arrives for the ceremony and sweeps Moira off her feet… Decades later, an unplanned reunion threatens to dredge up new truths about what happened all those years ago.

The Swell is about the extraordinary lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love. It pits the head and the heart against each other, exploring the mad logic that only makes sense when you’re madly in love. It asks what you should do when the right thing to do is also the worst thing you could do.

Directed by Hannah Hauer-King

Running time: 1h 30m

Recommended age: 12+

Image by Ahmed Mahin Fayaz

Cast & Creatives