What I liked
I saw Start Swimming after a long day of watching more conventional plays. That were frankly boring as hell. I brought my 12 year old to the plays and we was not in a good mood. But seconds into Start Swimming he was on the edge of his seat. Because the play is so primal adults AND kids can enjoy it. The direction and acting is so sharp that it keeps the audience on the edge of its seat.
What I didn't like
Improved? Start Swimming is thank God not that kind of conventional play that can be ‘improved’. Every production is different. It is like a giant puzzle that can easily be a mess in the hands of most directors. I am so excited to see what this young theatre company does next. I hope it is something equally inventive.
My overall impression
So many shows at the Fringe are exactly the same. Parodies of popular culture. Start Swimming is unlike anything else out there. It is experimental without being pretentious. It asks the questions of where do we fit in the world. Fiallos does this with such creativity and humor. You can’t guess what is going to happen next. The whole experience was bold and brave.