An Earthfall / Theatr Brycheiniog Co-Production
Dynamic Dance Music and Film
Audience ReviewsReview the show for a chance to win an Earthfall goody bag!
This is your chance to give us feedback! Please let us know what you think...
You also have a chance to win an Earthfall goody bag including a signed
copy of the book please complete our suvery here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ASTBsurvey
14/10/2011by Anonymous
I loved it. I loved the intensity, the emotion between the two boys and the extreme movement and lifts. The water just made it spectacular to watch and I will definately be coming again.
18/10/2011by Lianne Thomas
Intensity brought into physical form, really inspiring
18/10/2011by Sarah Davies
Absolutely breathtaking
19/10/2011by John Hudson
Marvellous. Beautiful, moving and edgy physical dance theatre. The water seemed to emphasise the strong emotions being portrayed as did the live soundtrack.
21/10/2011by Patrick Hands
Everything just came together to create a truly outstanding performance. I have never seen anything like this show before and was taken a back by how the performers created this intensity and beautiful relationship through dance and physically. Thank you so much for this show! Truly inspiring.
21/10/2011by Aimee Gavin
Just amazing, the strength and skills of the dancers was outstanding, would love to see the piece again and was so pleased to have been able to see such a breathtaking piece!
21/10/2011by nadine Jones
Fantastic show. Hit every emotional hotspot. Could watch it again and again.
05/11/2011by Ashley England
Wow, simply stunning. Having read Jamie’s book over eight years ago and treasured it as a favourite I approached the performance with trepidation, would the old friend be the same in a new guise. I need not have worried. Earthfall have created an amazing interpretation of the book and enhanced the experience for a collective audience rather than a solitary reader. It does everything great theatre should do, grab you at the first moment, tell you a story, charge your emotions and leave you feeling you have seen something magical. It is at once intensely physical but at the same time touchingly tender and delicate. The dancers are perfect at communicating the charactisation and the choreography communicates the story wonderfully. The music, projections and sparingly used voice over add to the drama and feeling of the piece. If you have read the book you will love it, if not you will want to read the book afterwards. Everyone needs to see this.
07/11/2011by Lushanya
I thought trhat the show was absolutely amazing, I loved the fact that a vioce overhead spoke for the performers, and that to show Danny’s desperation he only saud one word. I thought that the dances were very well choreographed, and I understand that some of the moves were completely improvised, as was some of the live music. I thought it was an amazing performance, and if a DVD came out, I would definately buy it. It was such a pleasure to watch!
10/11/2011by Richard Browning
We went to see the production at Liverpool and were blown away. It was brilliantly engaging from the start and you could feel the drama throughout the show- actions speak louder then words!
13/11/2011by Michael, Liverpool
I took my boyfriend to see this and we both thought it was really beautiful and moving. The dancers were both brilliant and the guys playing the live music gave the performace an extra dimension of intensity. I’d definitely recommend seeing it
19/11/2011by Clovis Patten
It was an amazing performance from beginning to end. It kept me interested in watching it. The dancing on water went really well to the soundtrack.
20/11/2011by Paul Furness
Picked up O’Neils book at random in the library [yes, we still have one in York!] having vaguely heard of it, found getting used to the language in the first few pages a bit tough and then, well….started it Fridy night and never went out till Monday night having locked myself away to finish all 600 odd pages of it…..Then I felt like I had been kicked powefully in the stomach by the book and could not get it out of my system. Best thing to do, then, was to get out, so I went to Huddersfield to see an exhibition - and a bloody performance of the book was on that night !! I bought the next to last ticket and hung around to see it - and was I glad I did! Condensing the story down to its bare bones gave it an intensity I wasn’t prepared for, the accordian listful in the background and the sheer tender physicality of the performance something I felt even a little privelaged to have seen - and water, water everywhere! Marvellous…...The people sat next to me summed the evening up no end. Two middle aged women to my right were uptight and tutted at the one and only kiss, and again when the voice over quoted “I don’t know if I hate the English…..but I do know I love him” they tutted and muttered again, but when the entire thing was over and done with, Earth Fall had taken a long ovation and we all stood up to leave,one of the two 20 year old lads to my left said to his mate, as only Yorkshire accents seem capable of saying, “right proper horny that was!” I left with a smile on my face and got the train home! Bloody marvellous thing to see, it was!
25/11/2011by editor
#atswimtwoboys was intense, inspirational and beautiful tonight @thecentre. @earthfall congratulations and all the best for the rest!!!!! (Lauren_V_Brown Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
@earthfall were amazing tonight ... Got that same amazing feeling as I did first time round years ago well done guys (LeannePike Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
@theCentre @earthfall #AtSwimTwoBoys was absolute amazing! So beautiful and emotional. Would so watch again. (Ian_Gera Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
Wow! Just saw the most physically and musically incredible show I think I’ve ever seen. Good job @earthfall #atswimtwoboys (JowTweedale Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
Last nights @earthfall show at @theLBT was outstanding. Emotional and gasp-worthy in its physicality and depth. Thank you folks. (LightBlubDesign Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
@TheGulbenkian @earthfall #atswimtwoboys stunning stunning stunning. Exceeded all my expectations. Thank you. Go and see it! (ash_eng Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
@earthfall #atswimtwoboys what a show you gave the gulbenkian tonight-one of the most exciting I’ve seen on our stage in years-thank you! (Pamhardiman Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
A massive YES to @earthfall’s #atswimtwoboys. Totally charged, beautiful & surprising. And boy those boys can move. Loved it! (Ness_Morse Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
@earthfall incredible performance @thecentre tonight. Even better than I remember it and it made me cry. Really beautiful performance. (JamRees Twitter review)
25/11/2011by editor
@earthfall incredible show tonight, really enjoyed it, thank you!. The choreography was stunning (SammieAmerie Twitter review)
30/11/2011by ArtyNitram
Having a drink after #atswimtwoboys @earthfall Moved me to tears, don’t tell anybody. Want to experience it again! Life is all about this! (ArtyNitram Twitter review)
30/11/2011by Lucy
2 weeks on I am still thinking about “at swim two boys”. I would watch it again tomorrow.
I took a group of students to Liverpool Unity Theatre to see this. The beauty and sincerity in which it was performed had a real impact on me.
Earthfall combined set design/physical setting (at its best in my opinion!), intense performance and connection to theme, exquisite dancers/performers and movement that made me smile, cry, laugh, gasp and made my heart thump!
Daniel O’Connor and Murilo Leite were absolutely perfect in the roles.
I know this is an audience review and I am harping on but as I said, 2 weeks on I’m still thinking about it.
Congratulations to all involved!
We also had a workshop in our Academy. The students were inspired by the performance and the workshop. They have used the skills they learned in their work in many ways.
Looking forward to next production!
01/12/2011by Toby
Really enjoyed the show, fantastic!
01/12/2011by Nicki Lovelock
Just returned from seeing the Oxford performance, beautiful, powerful and completely engaging. How often do we see two men dancing together and creating a story between them that an audience feels privileged to share? Thank you!
03/12/2011by Peter
I never thought I could be enraptured by an hour’s dance. I was apprehensive about going to see this; the book is so powerful, so descriptive, so hauntingly beautiful, I didn’t want it spoiled. It has just added to it. ‘Earthfall’ used and contrasted the dance, the amazing setting, the music, the visual effects, to interpret and celebrate two boys at swim. The energy, the water, the tragedy, the love. One of the most wonderful performances I have ever seen.
I wondered if Daniel as Jim and Murilo as Doyler would have been more faithful to the book? I kept having to reverse the roles in my mind. Then, where were the flutes and the jigs the night before the swim (or did I miss that)? But that is nitpicking detail, it was amazing, amazing.
And I went to the last performance of the tour…I would go a long way to see it again. You will have to rename yourselves Waterfall.
Thank you to all - but most of all to Daniel and Murilo’s stunning dancing.
13/12/2011by megan
Beautiful, touching and inspiring everything you would want it to be! This piece for me opened up my perception of contemporary dance/physical theatre by pushing the boundaries of what is possible on stage. I loved every aspect of this production and out of every performance I’ve seen, this is the one that I have been most drawn to. This was not only due to the incredible choreography and set design but the dancers themselves who portrayed the characters perfectly to represent a very real and complex relationship that pulled at the heartstrings. I would see it again in a heartbeat! Loved it!
12/02/2012by Brian Ainslie
Wow! Stunning emotional performances, breathtaking movements,stirring music and a brilliant set all combine to create a truly unforgettable experience.Congratulations to all concerned. This show
is First Class - surely an Award Winner
14/02/2012by Joe philpotts
Fabulously creative and beautifully performed. From the choreography to the live music, I was buzzing all the way through it. atswimtwoboys is showing the world an intense visual performance that carries you emotionally on a journey indulged in water. Fantastic physical movement, unique music & visually epic - earthfall have created a true masterpiece.
16/02/2012by Colin Gillert
Was carried away on a tide of awe at the physicality of last nights performance of “at swim two boys” at Riverside Studios. (Incidentally what an apt venue for such a watery show!)
Daniel Connor and Murilo Leite D’Imperio amazed, delighted and touched the soul with their bravura performance; heightened by a score of dramatic intensity.
18/02/2012by Mike Egan
A thrilling production. I have seldom seen such passionate and physically committed performances in contemporary dance (and I see quite a lot). The boys deserve the highest praise and the company has produced something to be really proud of.
19/02/2012by Emmett Harte
When I was invited to come to “At Swim Two Boys”, I was told it was a “Gay Play” set in Dublin. I did not know it was going to be a show with no dialogue, just dramatic dance. I would NOT have attended if I’d known that.
However, I am SO GLAD I got the chance to see this magnificent production. It was ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. There’s only a week left, so PLEASE get a ticket and go and see this fantastic show.
22/02/2012by Anon
Saw At Swim Two Boys on the 15th of Feb. It was such an honest and clever piece. The water added to the mood, music and movement. The intensity of the relationship was only heightened through the high level of performance and production. Truly breath taking; a must see for 2012
22/02/2012by Jo Humphris
One of the most moving performances I have ever been to! The grace, elegance and innocence with which the two lead dancers beautifully portrayed their relationship was
balanced with a performance of great power and dynamism.The physicality and precision of the dancing was quite breathtaking! Go and see it.It’s brilliant!!
P.S. I dragged my fiance to see this who usually hates modern dance and he loved it too!
25/02/2012by theukjz
This performance was the perfect blend of artistry, physicality and emotion. One of the most moving dance events I’ve seen, and I’ve seen many. Well done to the two swimming boys, to the band, and to everyone responsible for creating and sustaining this brilliant work.
26/02/2012by Nick Hunter
Powerful stuff. Such raw energy wrapped up with great emotion delivered in a innvovate way, who could not be moved by such a spell binding performance.
27/02/2012by John Osborne
Superb. Most enjoyable.
02/03/2012by Kevin
I have just come from seeing the show. It blew me away. It seems simple on the surface in terms of staging and choreography yet the dancers somehow (I am genuinely amazed) express the complexities of the two boy’s growing passion so perfectly. I was so moved. It will linger with me for a long time. I would love to see it again.
03/03/2012by Richar Bartle
AMAZING! Intense. Physical. Sexual. A mesmerizing performance and a fantastic mix of Dance, live music and film.
05/03/2012by Jack Knight
This is the only oppotunity I’ve had to write this review even though I saw it on friday and I thought ‘at swim two boys’ was amazing one of the best plays I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something and I really like the way they adapted it from the book and I took part in a workshop on thursday with danny and murilo and that was amazing too all around a brilliant play :D
12/03/2012by Chloe
I thought this show was a fabulous show! well done to the two boys ! they done a fab job! xx
12/03/2012by Daniel Morgan
I just watched the performance and post-show talk and I am mesmerised! The whole thing was incredibly moving, poweful, skilled and left me wanting to see more. I thought that Daniel and Murilo were both sensational, and their skills were clear to be seen. The staging was inspired and the whole thing had a phenomenological effect on me. The post show talk was very insightful and allowed me to get to know the details that go into the performance. What was really nice was that they took the time to speak with us and Daniel and Murilo both chatted with us afterwards and were very kind and humble. A great experience!
12/03/2012by Natalie Milburn
I have never felt so emotional when watching a piece. I love physical Theatre and making my own work and this really inspried me for the future.
16/03/2012by TC
Last night I took my girls and a friend to Artrix to watch ‘At Swim Two Boys’. I found it moving and physical and utterly captivating. The tenderness and the strength of the two dancers had me transfixed, the interplay and balance of two bodies leaning together and pulling apart, hurling themselves and each other aquaplaning across the water, the play of light and shadow on wet bodies and running water was stunning.
A colleague was there and I asked him what he thought He replied that it ‘didn’t do it’ for him. That was it??? I think there are Underlying Reasons. But he didn’t seem to rate the dancing either. Fella, it was in water. Of course the dance is going to be of a different character than if it was on a regular stage. Duh. Then my friend said that it didn’t have enough of a narrative for him to follow the story. Uh, it was perfectly clear that the whole thing was a physical poem to the love; spiritual, emotional and physical; of the two boys. There was joy, playfulness, desire, yearning, bitterness, resentment, anger and pain. It was unequivocal. In any case, it was mesmerising to simply watch the movement, regardless of whether there was a story line!
Anyway, I was delighted that my kids loved it. Those who supposedly ‘know’ about the arts and dance and performance have evidently gotten so jaded and cynical that they are no longer capable of that child-like delight in the details of something so beautiful.
I could watch it again right now.
Thank you.
20/03/2012by John Williams
Loved it - dramatic, acrobatic, perfect and touching too. Don’t often stand to applaud but I did tonight at The Lowry. Thank you.
22/03/2012by Jack Hart
I was really excited to see At Swim Two Boys, before going, because it was the first physical theatre show I had seen after devising it and studying it at school and my drama group for so long! I walked in and the set looked amazing, with the water dripping down the back and the band on stage! When the show started, I could feel that it was going to be amazing, I watched the two dancers and so closely and I don’t think I blinked throughout the whole performance! It really was mesmerising, the choreography was simply stunning! The story was really easy to follow (I have not read the book) and so SO moving! I found myself muttering to myself and nearly crying towards the end! The use of video and sound worked really well and enhanced the show greatly! The way that the water moved as the performers danced was so captivating and moving, like a child on his first visit to the zoo, staring at the shawls of fish in the aquarium, I found I could not take my eyes off Daniel and Murilo! I gave a standing ovation at the end and a very well deserved one it was! I came out feeling uplifted and moved, and was therefore very pleasantly surprised when I discovered that there was a free post-show talk! All of the company seemed really nice and were really insightful in there answers! Having had one of the most amazing theatrical nights of my life, I travelled home, feeling compelled to buy a ticket for the show the day after- and so I did! The show really is beautiful and gorgeous and a credit to all involved! If you haven’t seen At Swim Two Boys, buy a ticket…NOW! You will not regret it! Five Stars!
22/03/2012by David Atkinson
A fantastic production, full of stunning visual drama and a great piece of theatre in itself, as well as an inspired tribute to the book.
26/03/2012by Laurie-Ann Kemlo
My personal thoughts on “At Swim Two Boys” is that it is a fantastic piece to go watch, I personally was very blown away by the story line and thought it was extremely exciting to witness watching, as the use of water, is very clever and such a fantastic way of really connecting with the audience, by having the water nearly splash all of the people in the front row, it gives you that extra thrill feeling when watching the performance and the characters dancing. To be so close to the two boy dancers dancing, is very exciting and I love the concept of how much they connected themselves with the audience, throughout the piece. The performance the boys gave and how they told the story line really gave a fantastic essence of what Jim O’ Neil’s story was all about, and the use of the contents from the book was very cleverly weaved into the performance. It to me was most definably an inspiring, motivational piece to go and witness watching, and I truly do not have a bad word I can think of saying about the whole performance, the only bad thing I would say is how I wish it never had to end.
TRULY AND UTTERLY INSPIRING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR A FORMER DANCER YOURSELVE LIKE ME just beautiful !!
29/03/2012by Gerard Swan
Saw this last night having read the book a number of years ago. Beautiful performance and so carefully translated into dance. Found the performance moving, innovative, engaging. Thank you.
03/04/2012by theukjz
I’ve been to see the show twice now (London and Cardiff) and plan to see it at least one more time (Southampton). It is one of the most intense and inspiring dance works I’ve ever seen live, brought to life by two incredibly gifted dancers. The choreography is physical, fluid and gorgeous, and the music is moving - even works well on its own.
Just a spectacular performance all round, go see it before the tour finishes!
12/04/2012by KAREN ALLAN
This is an absolutely amazing performance. Wasn’t sure what to expect but just loved every minute of it and it ended too soon! The two dancers, Danni and Murilo, were outstanding,portraying the characters perfectly. They showed a very real and complex relationship that pulled at the heartstrings.Truely breathtaking would love to see it again. Congratulations. x
13/04/2012by Ian Curd
I saw this production in Lincoln in late March but resisted commenting until I had completed my reading of the book. This production manages to distil in just over an hour the love story that is the core of O’Neill’s magnum opus. It is stunningly done. The dancing is emotional, physical and by turns sensitive and aggressive. The production deserves a much wider audience for its imaginative use of dance, music, projection and, of course, water. A wonderful piece of theatre.
17/04/2012by anonymous
Breathtakingly beautiful! The sheer physicality and strength was awesome. Loved the music, the choreography, the lighting, the projections… oh and the water: loved everything!
Well done!
18/04/2012by Paul Vernon
Both Marco and Dan (and of course the musicians!) were brilliant on Tuesday 17 April at The Nuffield in Southampton.
What a wonderful dance - beautifully choreographed, and a wonderful story.
The boys played their parts to perfection, with wonderful timing and perfect symmetry.
Dancing in water certainly added another dimension and the choice of clothing and clever lighting certainly exploited this medium to give maximum impact.
A terrific work and lets hope we see more use of water in productions!
20/04/2012by Earthfall
If you would like to follow the boys in At Swim, Two Boys then you can do this via Twitter: @danielconnor1 and @muriloleited
