Wild Swimming– Bewley’s Cafe Theatre – Review
by Frank L.

Wild Swimming – Written by Marek Horn
Dates: March 16th – April 4th, 2026

Marek Horn premiered this play in early 2019 before its subsequent run at the Edinburgh Fringe. It has had several iterations since. It now comes to Dublin in a new production directed by Alisha Finnerty. It is set on a beach in Dorset at the end of the 16th century, where we meet a young couple, Oscar (Gemma Allen) and Nell (Siofra ni Eili). They are dressed of the period. The play moves on in time, and we encounter them in the 1840’s, after the First World War in the 1920’s and finally in modern times. They change their attire so they are dressed appropriately for each episode, but they remain young throughout.

Both come from a background which gives them a certain status. Oscar has ambitions to be a poet. Nell is a woman, and because of her gender, her ambitions are limited. She is conscious of the limitations her sex places upon her, but not so conscious of the privileges bestowed upon her by reasons of her social position. For instance, she owns the beach. And so over a period of 400 years, they continue to meet.

The set is bare apart from a clothes rack upon which their various costumes hang. By definition, some of these are fairly elaborate, and ni Eili and Allen show considerable dexterity in changing from one outfit to the next, even if the process does break the rhythm to a certain extent.

The play is written throughout in current spoken English, and therefore, one hears the use of “four-letter” words even in the opening sequence.  The text is, however, engaging and both ni Eili and Allen deliver it, with clear diction, both confidently and convincingly. The topics which come under review include sexual politics, the consequences of war, matters literary and, because they are on a beach, swimming. Their conversations dart in many directions as conversations do when conducted by old friends.

Wild Swimming is an absorbing hour-long piece of lunch-time theatre. Take the plunge, leap in and enjoy.