The four-time Academy Award-winning film Chariots Of Fire tells how Eric Liddell refused to run the 100 meters in the 1924 Paris Olympics because a qualifying heat was held on a Sunday. Instead he ran the 400m, a race in which he wasn't expected to place. He finished it five meters ahead of the favorite, winning the gold and breaking the world record. Rich Swingle's one-man play, Beyond the Chariots, picks up where the film left off, showing Eric in his greatest race, as a missionary to war-torn China.
We took the play to Europe this summer to celebrate the centennial of Liddell's world record in the 400m at the 1924 Paris Olympics. This is the first time the Olympics have been hosted by a city exactly 100 years apart, and it put the spotlight on Liddell in some big ways.
Translation slides are available in French, Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Tamil, and (if requested) Hungarian.
In the past we've brought the play to Beijing, Dan Dong (China), Hong Kong, and Macau during the 2008 Olympics, Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics, Singapore during the 2010 Youth Olympics, London during the 2012 Olympics, and Paris during the 2024 Olympics, 100 years after Liddell broke the world record at the 1924 Paris Olympics. We've also brought it to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival, Northern Ireland for Summer Madness, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Korea.
If your group needs a translation we don't have yet we can set up a common document so you can have a number of people working on it simultaneously, which can allow for a very speedy process.
If available, accomplished pianist Timothy J. Mercaldo can play music from Chariots of Fire before, during, and at key moments in the play.
Articles
The Shanghai Daily: "The Flying Scotsman's China days"
The Shanghai Star: "Olympic champion inspires one-man play"
National Catholic Reporter: "Rich Swingle acts out his ministry"
Le spectacle est vraiment saisissant.
(The show is grabbing.)
La présentation de l’Évangile est claire!
(The presentation of the Gospel is clear!)
-- Pascal Vermès
Grand admirateur d'Eric Liddell!
(The show is grabbing.)
La présentation de l’Évangile est claire!
(The presentation of the Gospel is clear!)
-- Pascal Vermès
Grand admirateur d'Eric Liddell!
I’m not sure which was better: the writing or the acting.
Academy Award-winning filmmaker for Chechoslovakia 1968
I cannot possibly express how much last night's event moved me, apart from your amazing talent and marvelous dramatic presentation. Having never known my father, I have... looked for authentic experiences that confirm my impressions of him as a man. "Beyond the Chariots" made you feel the intensity and the "blood, sweat and tears" of my Father's life. It was wonderful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely
—Maureen (Liddell) Moore
Sincerely
—Maureen (Liddell) Moore
Thank you - that was extremely moving and effective. It was remarkable.
— Sir Iaian Torrence
Pro-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, Honorary Professor of Early Christian Doctrine and Ethics at the University of Edinburgh, President and Professor of Patristics Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary, and a former Extra Chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland. He was formerly Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, and Dean of the Order of the Thistle
He sent the note after seeing Beyond the Chariots at Morningside United Church (where Liddell taught Sunday school and spoke from time to time while in university) on the centenary of Liddell breaking the world record in the 400m.
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| At the Christian Worldview Film Festival, 2016. Courtesy Evergreen Media Productions. |
I was moved by how you used Isaiah 40 in the afternoon. My guess: around the very moment that Eric was speaking 100 years ago!
A friend wrote to me…”It is crazy to think all this happened from one decision.”
The power of our decisions for good can leave such an impact on people’s lives.
It was his willingness for complete surrender and his offensive of love.
Rich, you captured Eric so well. Your love and respect for him shone through. You are such a talented actor - you live the roles you play.
I thought the script was clever, tight and extremely well put together. ...so subtle that even though I saw it four times I still saw new things!
I appreciated each twist and turn.
There were so many clever lines that showed you have lived with this for so long and you really knew him.
And brother your accents are amazing…they never felt awkward. You are very talented.
--Marty Woods, founder
We all need a reminder of what God can do through a devoted soul, and there is no better way to draw close to that than by watching Rich Swingle perform this miraculous one-man show. It's not just the layers Rich brings out of the characters, not just his command as an actor playing multiple roles, it isn't just the fine writing -- it's that God's spirit is present from beginning to end as Rich draws us into Eric Liddell's heart. I marvel at the depth of this performance and the power in this play. As a former runner, I loved how the intensity of running was captured on a small stage. Beyond the Chariots will take you through joy, pain, and redemption with laughs along the way. What it will not do is leave you untouched.
--Joan Bauer, novelist
Author of Hope Was Here, Stand Tall, and Rules of the Road
Awards include: Newbery Honor Medal, the LA Times Book Prize, the Christopher Award
...a fine story, lovingly and energetically told.
—The Scotsman
...the acting capabilities on show in this one-man show...were...astounding...
—ThreeWeeks
It is hard to tell a story as a single actor involving multiple characters - ambitious always, but Rich brought clarity and had a strong point of view throughout. His character work is really good and as always, his dialects are wonderful!
—John Forbes
Actor, Director, Producer
TV, Film - Stage - Off-Broadway, NYC
I have just returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, having seen Beyond the Chariots. I thought it was BRILLIANT and marvelously performed. I would like to know if there are any plans to perform it in London?
—Susan Beck
Get everyone to see this that you can!
—Bobby Grayson
Emmy Award-winning makeup artist for Saturday Night Live
I was impressed with Rich’s work as an actor and producer for Beyond the Chariots. Every moment was skillful.
—Max McLean
Actor
Great performance--authentic, moving, thought provoking! Beyond the Chariots grips you with Eric Liddell’s story of success to significance.
—Dr. James Hudson Taylor III
Great-grandson of Hudson Taylor, who founded the China Inland Mission, now Overseas Mission Fellowship International
When he was a boy, Dr. Taylor was in the concentration camp with Eric Liddell.
(Rich has) exuberance and high energy in the portrayal of several well-defined characters of the piece. This guy is REALLY talented!
—Felicia Lopes
General Manager, Drama Desk Awards
President, 5 Stone Productions, LLC
If you need an event that will inspire believers in Christ, draw seekers to Christ, entertain all and amaze everyone, this is it!
—Susan Somerville Brown
Closing company of CATS on Broadway
This is going to blow you away! I've seen Chariots of Fire about 20 times, but I think this is more interesting.
—Chris White
Associate Pastor
Trail Christian Fellowship
Shady Cove, OR
Swingle's one-man, high-energy, hour-long play...won him many hearts.
—David Nadeau, The Capital, Three Hills, Alberta, Canada
--Joan Bauer, novelist
Author of Hope Was Here, Stand Tall, and Rules of the Road
Awards include: Newbery Honor Medal, the LA Times Book Prize, the Christopher Award
...a fine story, lovingly and energetically told.
—The Scotsman
...the acting capabilities on show in this one-man show...were...astounding...
—ThreeWeeks
It is hard to tell a story as a single actor involving multiple characters - ambitious always, but Rich brought clarity and had a strong point of view throughout. His character work is really good and as always, his dialects are wonderful!
—John Forbes
Actor, Director, Producer
TV, Film - Stage - Off-Broadway, NYC
I have just returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, having seen Beyond the Chariots. I thought it was BRILLIANT and marvelously performed. I would like to know if there are any plans to perform it in London?
—Susan Beck
Get everyone to see this that you can!
—Bobby Grayson
Emmy Award-winning makeup artist for Saturday Night Live
I was impressed with Rich’s work as an actor and producer for Beyond the Chariots. Every moment was skillful.
—Max McLean
Actor
Great performance--authentic, moving, thought provoking! Beyond the Chariots grips you with Eric Liddell’s story of success to significance.
—Dr. James Hudson Taylor III
Great-grandson of Hudson Taylor, who founded the China Inland Mission, now Overseas Mission Fellowship International
When he was a boy, Dr. Taylor was in the concentration camp with Eric Liddell.
(Rich has) exuberance and high energy in the portrayal of several well-defined characters of the piece. This guy is REALLY talented!
—Felicia Lopes
General Manager, Drama Desk Awards
President, 5 Stone Productions, LLC
If you need an event that will inspire believers in Christ, draw seekers to Christ, entertain all and amaze everyone, this is it!
—Susan Somerville Brown
Closing company of CATS on Broadway
What an incredible performance!!! We were highly entertained and inspired!
—Mark D. Rasche
Co-Founder, CEO
Wise King Media
Adventum, Johnathan Park Audio Adventures
Wise King Media
Adventum, Johnathan Park Audio Adventures
This is going to blow you away! I've seen Chariots of Fire about 20 times, but I think this is more interesting.
—Chris White
Associate Pastor
Trail Christian Fellowship
Shady Cove, OR
Swingle's one-man, high-energy, hour-long play...won him many hearts.
—David Nadeau, The Capital, Three Hills, Alberta, Canada
Rich's depiction of Eric Liddell's continued story is POWERFUL! I was instantly drawn into Eric's journey and was touched by his ministry, and the twist at the end. Only God!
--Becky Bartlett
Actress
--Becky Bartlett
Actress
More about Eric Liddell
There are two booklets about Eric Liddell in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics:
J.John, an evangelist, author, and broadcaster, wrote "Race of Your Life."
Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid wrote "Racing for Glory."
For a list of books by and about Eric Liddell visit www.EricLiddell.org/about-eric-liddell.
For more comments about Rich's work visit our Quotes page.
