Never Swim Alone and This is a Play [Paperback]

Daniel MacIvor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0887545246 | ISBN-13: 978-0887545245

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887545246
• ISBN-13: 978-0887545245
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,094,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great work by a great playwright, March 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Never Swim Alone and This is a Play (Paperback)

When I saw this play performed, I knew I wanted to direct it one day. A few years later, as we rehearsed this play, the cast and I discovered what a singular talent MacIvor is. Time after time, someone would remark, "This is such a rich script." Two threads weave through this stylish piece of modern theatre: memories of an idyllic summer at the beach that goes tragically wrong, and a present-day one upmanship contest between two men in (nearly) identical suits, judged by a referee in a blue bathing suit, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl on the beach. MacIvor is an absolute master of language, and this script shows his powers at their greatest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Friends, no, Competitors 'till Death, October 12, 2007

By 

Hallie Dallie (Pullman, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Swim Alone and This is a Play (Paperback)

I attended the WET production in Seattle last year and was blown away. Never Swim Alone is a boxing match between two friends, scarred by an earlier event, who's every move is aimed at defeating the other, with a ghost from their childhood as referee. The men are very similar yet fundamentally different and you will appreciate the development not only of their characters and but also an insightful look into male relationships both profound and twisted. The friends are caught in a sisyphean battle to set themselves apart, above and beyond their fears and inadequacies while the effects of their competition may tragically influence those around them. The suggested staging is unique, with lots of physicality for such a philosophical play, and lots of drama (with a bit of farce and melodrama possible) as well. This play could be about so many things: love, friendship, self-knowledge, capitalism, corporate greed, murder, guilt, revenge -- depending on how it is produced possibly all. I think this play would be excellent for production (I saw such a wonderful production of it!), scene study, monologues, and probably reading as well, although I imagine the physicality might be lost if not actually playing it.