February 15 - March 2

Akimbo + Co presents

THE SWELL

Written by Isley Lynn

Directed by Julia Billington

“You need to meet the other special people. There are so many of us. You’ll fall in love every day.”

The gripping queer love triangle that will leave you gasping.

How far would you go for the person you love? Is honesty really the best policy? Is there ever a “right” person for us? The Swell asks all these questions and more, through the lens of a queer love triangle that spans across decades.

Annie is happy at last – she’s engaged to Bel, the love of her life, and counting down the days to their wedding. But then old friend, free spirit, and troublemaker Flo turns up unexpectedly, and announces she’ll be staying with them until the big day. Their surprise reunion turns into a complicated love affair with dangerous consequences that threaten to destroy Annie’s Happily Ever After...

The Australian premiere of this thrilling romantic drama is a gripping story spanning decades of love, sacrifice and betrayal.

★★★★ An “intricate stitching of three full, complex women… Built with tangled emotions, subtlety and surprise, it is quite the feat.” – The Guardian

“Emotionally true and profoundly theatrical… [a] mind-bending romantic drama… This is the best piece of new writing in London.”– The Arts Desk

The Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2023: Winner of Charles Wintour Award for 'Most Promising New Playwright’

Cast and Creative Team

Producing Company: Akimbo + Co

Playwright: Isley Lynn

Director: Julia Billington

Producers: Becks Blake & Jess Pantano

Set & Costume Designer: Hannah Yardley

Lighting Designer: Saint Clair

Sound Designer & Composer: Clare Hennessy

Stage Manager: Jessica Twells

Intimacy Coordinator: Shondelle Pratt

Accent Coach: Natasha McNamara

Cast (of 6): Alexandra Keddie, Monique Salle, Jessica Bell, Katherine Hopwood Poulsen, Fiona Press, Deborah Jones

This listing is updated as cast/creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are changes to the team.

Photo Credit: Akimbo + Co

Dates + Ticketing

Season: February 15 - March 2

Note- previews are 15/02-16/02, opening night (invite only) is 17/02

Times: 7pm Tues-Sat, 5pm Sun

Ticket Prices:

  • Previews & Cheap Tuesday: $35 + booking fee

  • Adult: $45-75 + booking fee

  • Concession: $35-55 + booking fee

Approximate Run Time: 90 minutes

Content Warnings: depictions and discussions of physical violence, simulated panic attack, themes of homophobia, coarse language, the use of haze, strobe effects, UV lighting. If you find the subject matter in the show distressing and wish to seek support, we recommend the following resources: