Airswimming

Set in 1920s England, Airswimming is based on the true story of two women (Miss Kitson and Miss Baker), imprisoned in a hospital for the ‘criminally insane’ for having borne an illegitimate child and for being queer.  Forgotten by their families and not released until the 1970s, Dora and Persephone adopt alter-egos, Dorph and Porph, to enact their fantasies and survive the hopelessness of incarceration.  By turns very funny and moving, Airswimming reminds us of these otherwise forgotten women.

Directed by Alexsandra Marzocca (The Drowning Girls), it’s a dark comedy written by Charlotte Jones, whose play Humble Boy  we produced in the Studio last year. With real wit and humour like that but a very different play in style, it will feature some stylised movement. At its heart, it is a story about finding hope in a hopeless situation, and the enduring power of friendship.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd., www.concordtheatricals.co.uk