RichDrama - Blog #ParisRichDrama - Blog #Parishttps://www.richdrama.com/blog/tag/parisSun, 12 Apr 2026 19:16:01 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Founder of France1Million.world]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/founder-of-france1million.worldI got a note from Marty Woods, the founder of www.France1Million.world, motivating a million prayers for France. I got to interview him about it. You ]]>

Appreciated Beyond the Chariots

I got a note from Marty Woods, the founder of www.France1Million.world, motivating a million prayers for France. I got to interview him about it. You can watch that here, and we'll be leading people in prayer for the initiative today at 12:15 p.m. Eastern. You can find details of how to join at www.RichDrama.com/blog/post/Prayer.

Earlier I shared how I portrayed Eric Liddell reading from Isaiah 40 behind the pulpit he used 100 years after he preached there. It was Marty who took us to lunch that day and encouraged me to add it. 


He gave me permission to share his note with you...


Begin forwarded message:

Rich,

I keep thinking of you, the play, the fact we have met finally and how you appreciate Eric as much as I do.


And then how much I enjoyed and appreciated Saturday. It was such a special time. 


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…and you did his Scottish accent!


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. I appreciated each twist and turn. I stayed on to see it again. I was impressed with how you sang the Paradox song on 2 different occasions- such a clever contrast. 


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.


What also moved me too was how you and the lovely Joyce have come over with your own money to share this gift with Christians and not yet believers across Europe. It was a total privilege meeting you brother.


Cheers,

Marty 


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Today at 12:15 p.m. Eastern we’ll be praying for Marty’s prayer initiative, www.France1Million.world, on Headline Prayer Live. We’ll also be praying through the aftermath of the blasphemous opening ceremonies. We appreciate your prayers!

]]>Tue, 30 Jul 2024 05:37:27 -0400<![CDATA[Prayer for True Triumph in Paris]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/prayer-for-true-triumph-in-parisWe were in downtown Paris today to meet her royal highness, Princess Anne, the patron of The Eric Liddell 100. More on that soon , but while we were th ]]>

A most exciting day!

We were in downtown Paris today to meet her royal highness, Princess Anne, the patron of The Eric Liddell 100. More on that soon, but while we were there we took a moment to pray for the Christian athletes before tonight's opening ceremonies.

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www.BeyondTheChariots.com has turned French, but you can still see the English version at

  www.RichDrama.com/blog/post/BeyondTheChariots.

If you forget there's a link to the English version at www.BeyondTheChariots.com. 

]]>Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:07:05 -0400<![CDATA[The Night Before Noisy]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/the-night-before-noisyWe set things up for tomorrow's performance at l'Eglise Evangélique Baptiste Vie Nouvelle, and we were so excited by all they're doing to prepare! You can hear an interview (in French) with the visionary behind tomorrow night's performance...]]>

Anticipating the performance in Noisy-le-Grand, France

We set things up for tomorrow's performance at l'Eglise Evangélique Baptiste Vie Nouvelle, and we were so excited by all they're doing to prepare!

Click to hear an interview (in French) with the visionary behind tomorrow night's performance.


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Three more performances to go!

]]>Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:48:33 -0400<![CDATA[Beyond the Chariots (Au-delà des Chariots)]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/beyond-the-chariots-au-delà-des-chariotsFor English: www.RichDrama.com/blog/post/BeyondTheChariots Le film Chariots de feu, récompensé par quatre Oscars, raconte comment Eric Liddell a refusé de courir le 100 mètres aux Jeux olympiques de Paris en 1924 parce qu'une épreuve de qualification avait lieu un dimanche.]]>

For English click here.


Le film Chariots de feu, récompensé par quatre Oscars, raconte comment Eric Liddell a refusé de courir le 100 mètres aux Jeux olympiques de Paris en 1924 parce qu'une épreuve de qualification avait lieu un dimanche. À la place, il a couru le 400 mètres, une course dans laquelle il n'était pas censé se classer. Il a terminé avec cinq mètres d'avance sur le favori, remportant l'or et battant le record du monde. La pièce de Rich Swingle, Beyond the Chariots, reprend là où le film s'est arrêté, montrant Eric dans sa plus grande course, en tant que missionnaire dans une Chine déchirée par la guerre. 

Nous sommes ravis de présenter la pièce en Europe cet été pour célébrer le centenaire du record du monde de Liddell sur 400 m aux Jeux olympiques de Paris en 1924. C'est la première fois que les Jeux olympiques sont accueillis par une ville à exactement 100 ans d'intervalle, et cela met Liddell sous les feux de la rampe.

Voici les dates de notre tournée :

NYC
June 22, 2 p.m. (t)

Beyond the Chariots

Theatre 315
315 W 47th Street
Manhattan


Portglenone, Northern Ireland

28 June - 2 July
29 June, 4 p.m.
Big Top
29 June, 7 p.m. 
Big Top
Excerpts from

Frankfurt, Germany
4 July, 8 p.m. (German translation slides)
"Jonah" and "Gideon" from  Big Fish Little Worm
Mosaikkirche
Kruppstr. 98
 
Paris, France
6 July, 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. (t)
Centenary of Eric Liddell preaching in the Scots Kirk
Scots Kirk

Edinburgh, Scotland
11 July, 12:30 p.m.
Centenary of Eric Liddell's world record in the 400m 
Brief excerpt from
The Wellbeing Lunch
The Eric Liddell Centre

Edinburgh, Scotland
11 July, 3 and 6 p.m.
Centenary of Eric Liddell's world record in the 400m 
Morningside United Church
15 Chamberlain Rd, Edinburgh EH10 4DH

Leith, Scotland

Kilsyth, Scotland
14 July, 3.30 p.m.
Kilsyth Burns and Old Church

Chantilly, France
July 18, 6.30 p.m. (t)
Three hours after an Olympic torch exchange there


Paris, France
20 July, 19h 45 (t)
Protestant Evangelical Chinese Church
102 avenue Jean Jaures, 93500 Pantin

Paris, France
24 Juillet, 20h (t)
l'Eglise Evangélique Baptiste 
Vie Nouvelle de Noisy
23 Avenue du Général de Gaulle,
93160 Noisy-le-Grand

Paris, France
                      27 Juillet, 20h (t)                     
Excerpts from Beyond the Chariots
Vernissage
l'Eglise Evangélique Baptiste de Paris
48 rue de Lille 
75007 Paris

Paris, France
                      3 Août, 20h (t)                      
l'Eglise Evangélique Baptiste de Paris
48 rue de Lille 
75007 Paris
Participation libre

Paris, France
 4 Août, 10h 30 
Un sous-titré en français
Eglise Apostolique de Paris
115 rue Lamarck, 75018

Paris, France
10 August (t)

17h45  Ouverture des portes

18h00   Apéro de bienvenue

19h00  Pièce de théâtre avec Rich Swingle

21h00  Témoignages

Paris Épicenter 
24, rue Antoine-Julien
Hénard, 75012, Paris
15€
Limited seating

(​​t): Un sous-titrage sera disponible dans la plupart des salles en français, en chinois traditionnel et simplifié, en coréen, en espagnol, en tamoul et (si demandé) en hongrois. 

La bande announce a été filmé à l'Expo à Singapore en 2010...
Nous avons déjà présenté la pièce à Pékin, Dan Dong (Chine), Hong Kong et Macao pendant les Jeux olympiques de 2008, à Vancouver pendant les Jeux olympiques de 2010, à Singapour pendant les Jeux olympiques de la jeunesse de 2010 et à Londres pendant les Jeux olympiques de 2012. Nous l'avons également présenté aux États-Unis, en Malaisie, à Singapour, à Taïwan et en Corée.

Des articles
The Shanghai Daily: "The Flying Scotsman's China days"
National Catholic Reporter: "Rich Swingle acts out his ministry"

Le spectacle est vraiment saisissant.
La présentation de l’Évangile est claire!
--  Pascal Vermès 
Grand admirateur d'Eric Liddell!

I’m not sure which was better: the writing or the acting.
—Robert Fresco
Academy Award-winning filmmaker for Chechoslovakia 1968

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. I appreciated each twist and turn. I stayed on to see the second performance. 

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

www.France1Million.world


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

What an incredible performance!!!  We were highly entertained and inspired!
—Mark D. Rasche
Co-Founder, CEO
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

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

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

For more photos click here.
For photos from the performance
at Alistair Begg's church
click here. And for those at the 
College of Officer Training click here.

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.

]]>Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:54:52 -0400<![CDATA[From Frankfurt]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/Big-Fish-Little-Worm-in-FrankfurtI'm posting this a bit out of order, but today, as I was making my way through Paris, I heard one of our pastors at Westchester Chapel preach on Jonah ]]>

on Independence Day

I'm posting this a bit out of order, but today, as I was making my way through Paris, I heard one of our pastors at Westchester Chapel preach on Jonah. It reminded me that I hadn't posted my report about my performance of my play about Jonah in Frankfurt on Independence Day: 

Next stop: Edinburgh, starting on the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell breaking the world record in the 400m during the 1924 Paris Olympics. We'll share it in the church where he taught Sunday school and preached while a student at the University of Edinburgh. Full itinerary at www.BeyondTheChariots.com.


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We created an album from my performance at The Sots Kirk Paris on July 6, exactly 100 years after Eric Liddell preached there instead of running a heat of his best race at the 1924 Paris Olympics. It has photos of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev. Shaw Paterson, and Miranda McIntosh, Head of the Scottish Government Office in France, who both spoke eloquently before the play about Liddell putting Christ over career. After the play the three of us unveiled a new plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell's preaching in the Scots Kirk Paris on July 6, 1924.

]]>Sun, 07 Jul 2024 21:06:19 -0400<![CDATA[The Scots Kirk Paris]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/the-scots-kirk-parisToday was definitely a once in a lifetime event! We got to share Beyond the Chariots at The Scots Kirk Paris, where Eric Liddell preached one hundred ]]>

One Hundred Years Later

Today was definitely a once in a lifetime event! We got to share Beyond the Chariots at The Scots Kirk Paris, where Eric Liddell preached one hundred years ago today, instead of running the 100m heat at the 1924 Paris Olympics. We added a once only scene to the play: 

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The Journey continues: www.BeyondTheChariots.com.

]]>Sat, 06 Jul 2024 19:06:07 -0400<![CDATA[The Scots Kirk on the Centennial!]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/the-scots-kirk-on-the-centennialWe'd appreciate your prayer, as we just found out that there's an issue for people giving on www.GiveSendGo.com/ChariotsParisEdinburgh ! Not sure what' ]]>

Where Eric Liddell Preached the Sunday He Refused to Run

We'd appreciate your prayer, as we just found out that there's an issue for people giving on www.GiveSendGo.com/ChariotsParisEdinburgh! Not sure what's going on there, but it certainly needs prayer.


If you had a problem giving, feel free to give at www.RichDrama.com/blog/post/Donate, and in the memo put "Paris and Beyond." Also, put how you'd like for us to give you credit, and we'll update the goal page (www.GiveSendGo.com/ChariotsParisEdinburgh). 

There (and in the image below) you'll notice our goal has gone down. We started at $10,000, but when we were invited to bring my play about Eric Liddell to the Scots Kirk of Paris on July 6 it made the trip too long to do the Edinburgh Fringe. That took $3,000 off in housing, theatre rental, and over $300 just to be in the program. 


Joyce and I were both relieved! Not only does it mean raising less money, it opens time for us to perform anywhere in Europe, and we're casting our net broadly. 


Right now we have possible bookings in Northern Ireland, Germany, Scotland, and additional performances in Paris. More on those below. Paris will be our base, where we'll have free housing whenever we're there. Praise the Lord! I also have plans to reach out to folks in Spain, Switzerland, and Holland. Let us know if you have contacts across the Pond, and we'll send you something to share with them. 


Some of the venues are offering to put money toward the trip, so those will bring our goal down even more, whereas some don't have the funds to help, and that will make the goal rise a bit. We'll keep you updated as things fall into place. 


Here's a recent update (before the site stopped accepting credit cards) from the director of our prayer team:


May the Lord God be exalted and His name held high above all others! May we lay down ourselves, our thoughts, and our wills to be ready vessels for His will in all things overall. 

Please pray with the following updates in mind:


There is the hope of conversations via the Eric Liddell Center with churches connected to Liddell’s ministry in Edinburgh for performances of Beyond the Chariots. 

There are fruitful conversations with a Christian festival in Northern Ireland, for a performance of Chariots there, plus a potential speaking engagement for Joyce, and presentation of some of their new "singing play" Songs of Revival: Hungry After God Himself (www.SongsOfRevivalLive.com).


This connection may be able to offer a fee that would cover some costs in the budget, which would reduce our goal. There may be helpful coverage of housing also for days leading up to the Olympic engagements. 


Nichole in Paris continues to pursue venues and venue sponsorship. One possibility could open the door to a 3,000 seat venue! A letter has gone out to some potential patrons, so pray for that.


Also, the continued prayer is to perform within the Athletes’ Village. Some leads have dried up, but others remain to be tested. 


The Scots Kirk church in Paris has welcomed the plans for two performances of Chariots on July 6 and for weekly Saturday performances through the Olympics. Between performances (July 6) they’re planning to give out an Eric Liddell Award and invite Princess Anne, Patron of The Eric Liddell 100 (an umbrella for all events celebrating Eric Liddell this year). Please pray for the Lord’s blessing on the church itself. May many renew or begin a living relationship with the Lord for any who don’t have one yet! May its boundaries and flock increase as a result of this spiritual hospitality. 


The Swingles had a video call with folks from a church in Frankfurt. They’d like for Rich to perform his Jonah play, which is only 20 minutes long, for English students. A Church from America will be there teaching English, and they think this would be a nice addition to the program. It would be between the festival in Northern Ireland (if that is finalized) and Paris. Praying for the green light from the host and visiting churches, for the translation slides to be easily finished, for Salvations and re-dedications. 


Travel may encompass Belfast, Frankfurt, Paris, and Edinburgh all within July 1-9.


Rich has reached out in many directions within Europe for performances between the July 12th and the start of the Olympics on the 26th. Pray for bookings in that window.


Praise for such abundance! Our God is so generous and does more than we could ever think or imagine!


Blessings and love in Him,

Elizabeth


###


Thanks again for your prayers and generous gifts! 

In Christ alone,

Rich & Joyce

www.GiveSendGo.com/ChariotsParisEdinburgh

]]>Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:25:01 -0500