SWIM
Theatre Conspiracy/Pandemic Theatre (Canada)
- Thu Jan 30 7pm
- Fri Jan 31 5pm, 8pm
- Sat Feb 1 1pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sun Feb 2 2pm, 5pm
Presented with
It is 8 kilometres from Güzelçamli, Turkey to the Greek island of Samos, or 160 lengths of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. That’s the distance many must swim in search of asylum in Europe. SWIM is an immersive sensorial experience that imagines the physical, mental and spiritual challenges of this treacherous passage as it meditates upon the emotional toll of displacement. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies to simulate audio and tactile sensations, the audience experiences much of the piece in darkness.
Drawing loose inspiration from the epic Arabic story of Laila and Majnun, SWIM invites audiences to imagine what feelings one moves through as they endure the fatigue of this perilous crossing. It meditates on the question: When one is driven to leave their love, their life, their home — what parts of oneself and one’s old life must be sacrificed in pursuit of a new beginning?
SWIM is a PuSh Festival commission.
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Artist Bio
Theatre Conspiracy/Pandemic Theatre
Founded in 1995, Theatre Conspiracy creates theatrical events that activate discussion on vital contemporary themes in the international conversation. The company is committed to enhancing a rich dialogue between our city, the province and the international community.
Founded in 2009, Pandemic Theatre is a performing arts collective that creates, develops, and produces work from critical and underrepresented perspectives, that engage social and political themes.
Venue
1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
Showtimes
- January 30: 7pm
- January 31: 5pm, 8pm
- February 1: 1pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- February 2: 2pm, 5pm
Post-show talkback: Jan 31 @ 5pm
Content Advisory
Flashing lights, haze. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, this may be triggering and potentially traumatizing.
Tickets
Single tickets: $39
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Access
Blind and low-vision friendly
This show is part of our blind and low-vision accessible double feature on February 1, presented in partnership with VocalEye. Visit their website for more information, including how to register
An introduction for blind and low-vision audience members will be available at the venue in both written and audio formats. Email access@pushfestival.ca for advance access to this introduction, or to request detailed access notes about what to expect at this non-visual show.
Credits
Created by Jivesh Parasram, Tom Arthur Davis, David Mesiha and Gavan Cheema Written by Jivesh Parasram and Tom Arthur Davis Directed by Gavan Cheema & David Mesiha Music & Sound Design by David Mesiha Accessibility Consultant Amy Amantea Special thanks to Tim Carlson for original script dramaturgy
This project has been made possible through the generous support of PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, SummerWorks Performance Festival, Why Not Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, The Cultch, Crow’s Theatre, Volcano Theatre, Suitcase in Point, the British Columbia Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, Metro Vancouver, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, and the City of Vancouver.