Melbourne Theatre Company The University Of Melbourne
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  • Sumner
  • 30 January - 18 March
  • Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes including a 20-minute interval
  • SEASON EXTENDED - GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE 16-18 MARCH

Performance Codes:

  • A Audio Described Performance
  • C Captioned Performance
  • E Education Performance
  • O Opening Night Performance
  • P Preview Performance
  • T Tactile Tour

Tonight's performance of The Swimming Club will run as scheduled.

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The Swimming Club

By Hannie Rayson

  • WORLD PREMIERE

    '' - Herald Sun

    'One for the Rayson fans' - The Australian

    Six friends. A Greek island. A summer romance. Thirty years later, would you dive in again?
    A seductive new comedy from the writer of Hotel Sorrento and Inheritance.

    In 1983, when they were footloose and fancy free, they spent one glorious summer together on a Greek island. Now that they are middle-class, middle-aged, mid-career and mortgaged to the hilt, do they really want to carry all their burdens halfway round the world for a reunion?

    Life issues no return tickets. With reality far from their idealistic dreams, Hannie Rayson's successful yet not-quite-satisfied characters seek to rekindle the fervour of their youth in The Swimming Club.

    A CO-PRODUCTION WITH BLACK SWAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY.
    Black_Swan_small

    THE SWIMMING CLUB WAS COMMISSIONED BY BLACK SWAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY AS PART OF THE RIO TINTO BLACK SWAN COMMISSIONS.

    WARNING: CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE.

    Key Photography: Earl Carter, Rehearsal Photography: Pam Kleemann

    Thinking of bringing young people to the theatre? Click here for information about suitability.

    CAST PARTNER | PRECISION DENTURES

  • 'Nostalgia is a self-deceiving game and Hannie Rayson’s characters are smart enough to know that it’s a mirage. But they dive in anyway. Here is Hannie at her wisest and wittiest, writing about her own generation with warmth, humour and her characteristic sensibility for their dilemmas and regrets. This co-production sees her reunited with MTC alumnus Kate Cherry (now Black Swan’s Artistic Director), who first worked with her on the immensely popular Life After George. John Waters, Caroline Gillmer and Igor Sas will form the first half of the sexy and sentimental swimming club.'

    Simon Phillips, Artistic Director


  • Video:

  • Cast
    Tina Bursill
    Caroline Gillmer
    Megan Holloway
    Nicholas Papademetriou
    Angela Punch McGregor
    Igor Sas
    John Waters

    Creative
    Director - Kate Cherry
    Designer - Christina Smith
    Lighting Designer - Matt Scott
    Sound Designer/Composer - Russell Goldsmith
    Movement Director - Claudia Alessi

  • Friends take the plunge

    'It has been some time since we have seen a Hannie Rayson play and she has been sorely missed. Her writing is funny, yet rich with layers for those who want to listen. The Swimming Club is a lively and thoughtful play that speaks potently about the pains in modern life. Her understanding comes from empathy and experience so her characters are alive and realistic. They could be people we all know and may even be us... This is heartening work, warmed by the sense of familiarity.' – Catherine Lambert, Sunday Herald Sun

     

    Audience Feedback

    'I loved the wonderful strong characters in The Swimming Club... I was transported to the warm waters of the Greek Isles and time flew by.' - Helen, Hawthorn

    'It was delightful. It was nice to reflect on the past.' - Vicki, Bentleigh East

    'A thought provoking story about growing up, the compromises and decisions that we have to make and the people that come into your life and see you through it all.' - Vanessa, Port Melbourne