Let’s Try Swingin’ – Project Arts Centre – Review

Let’s Try Swingin’ – Anseo Anois Theatre
Dates: 17 – 19 July – Cube, 7 pm

Let’s Try Swingin’ tells the story of Lily, Jim, Tadgh and Flora, and their attempts to spice up their sex lives! They are two average couples who are attempting to explore something new, namely, the titular ‘swinging’.

Let’s Try Swingin’ is part of a short season of plays hosted by the Project Arts Centre entitled As Seen On Fringe. It’s four of the best plays from last year’s Dublin Fringe Festival, before things kick off again for the Fringe on September 6th, which is less than 7 weeks away. Let’s Try Swingin’ was nominated for Best Production and won the Best Ensemble Award at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2024. If you missed it first time out, you’re in with a second chance.

The two couples are from different walks of life. Lily (Anne O’Riordan) and Jim (Barry Simpson) have just bought their first home and are doing well in their respective careers. Whereas Flora (Emma Dargan-Reid) and Tadgh (Ben Waddell) are on the fringes, with one a Barista who travels between Farmers’ Markets and the other a Yoga instructor. The one thing they have in common is that this is their first time experimenting with swinging! We meet Lily and Jim as they are preparing for the arrival of their guests. They hired an Airbnb for the occasion as it didn’t feel right to do it at home. There is a palpable sense of nervous energy in the air as they dissect their every decision. Do they serve food or just nibbles? What drinks should they serve, or what music should they have on? They deliberate on a hundred other small choices to make the place seem like the home of a typical swinger.

This is a playful and lighthearted comedy, with occasional touches of farce. The playwright Leo Hanna deserves much credit for holding the piece together, for what is essentially an extended comedy sketch. The characters are nicely drawn out, with two couples from different walks of life. The more intimate moments are handled wonderfully, with a dance scene interpreting the sexual chemistry on display. It’s a production that will remind us all what is good about the Fringe Festival, and make Anseo Anois Theatre one to watch.

Cast
Flora: Emma Dargan-Reid
Lily: Anne O’Riordan
Jim: Barry Simpson
Tadgh: Ben Waddell

Creative Team
Playwright: Leo Hanna
Director: Finbarr Doyle
Set & Lighting Designer: Iris Liange
Sound Designer: Andrew Kerr
Choreographer: Tom Duffy
Creative Producer: Oonagh Wall