RichDrama - Blog #PlaysRichDrama - Blog #Playshttps://www.richdrama.com/blog/tag/playsTue, 07 Apr 2026 01:14:57 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[European Dress Rehearsal in an Off-Broadway Theatre]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/dress-rehearsal-in-an-off-broadway-theatreWe're taking my one-man play  Beyond the Chariots  to Europe to celebrate the centenary (the British version of centennial) of Eric Liddell re ]]>

Also, playing Mordecai in "Queen Esther"

We're taking my one-man play Beyond the Chariots to Europe to celebrate the centenary (the British version of centennial) of Eric Liddell refusing to run the 100m to prove he was the fastest man alive because one of the heats was on a Sunday, July 6, 1924. We'll be performing my play about him on July 6, 2024, in the Scots Kirk of Paris, where Liddell preached during the Olympics. We'll also be taking the play to the Morningside United Church on July 11, the 100th anniversary of Liddell breaking the world record in the 400m. We'll be performing with a stained glass window of Liddell and the pulpit he used to preach while he was a student at the Edinburgh University. 


Before the trip begins, we'll perform in a free dress rehearsal at Theatre 315 on June 22, at 2 p.m. If all goes well, we'll have French translation slides on the screen, and people will be able to follow along on smart phones and tablets with translation slides in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Tamil, Spanish, and Hungarian. 


Here are more bookings: 

NYC
June 22, 2 p.m.

Beyond the Chariots

Theatre 315
315 W 47th Street
Manhattan


Portglenone, Northern Ireland

June 28 - July 2
Scene/s from
Summer Madness Christian Youth Festival

Frankfurt, Germany
July 4, 8 p.m.
"Jonah" and "Gideon" from Big Fish Little Worm
Mosaikkirche
Kruppstr. 98

Paris, France
July 6
Scots Kirk

Edinburgh, Scotland
July 11
The Eric Liddell Centre
Morningside United Church

Douvaine, France
July 14
Venue TBA

Chantilly, France
July 18, 6:30 p.m.
Three hours after an Olympic torch exchange there
Saint Peter's Anglican Church

Anywhere in Europe

Paris, France
July 27
Scots Kirk

Paris, France
August 3
Scots Kirk

Paris, France
August 10
Scots Kirk

In other news, tomorrow is the final reading in the series Hears the Story at Theatre 315: 

NYC
May 21, 7 p.m.

Playing Mordecai in a reading of "Queen Esther"

Hears the Story

Theatre 315
315 W 47th Street
Manhattan


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If you missed the debut of What's a Girl to Do? you can now watch it on demand.

]]>Mon, 20 May 2024 19:20:06 -0400<![CDATA[Beyond the Chariots at the Singapore Expo]]>https://www.richdrama.com/blog/post/BtCRent or purchase a recording of Beyond the Chariots at the Singapore Expo.]]>

This performance of Beyond the Chariots was filmed live at the Singapore Expo for about 5,600 on the heels of the Youth Olympics.

Watch now

If you're outside the U.S., please scroll down below the video...

Unfortunately it's not available in Europe at the moment, though I've made a request. Please check this page (www.RichDrama.com/blog/post/BtC) in a few days to see if it's ready. If you're reading this outside of the U.S. you can still watch it by clicking here. If you'd like to make a donation, you can do that by clicking here. In the States people rent the recording for £2.35/€2.79 or buy it for indefinite use for £8.67/€10.23.

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 400 meters, 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.

My one-man play, Beyond the Chariots, picks up where the film left off: Leaving fame and fortune behind, Eric runs his greatest race, as a missionary to war-torn China.

The event, which was hosted by Faith Community Baptist Church, was closed by Rev. Eugene Seow with rousing comments on themes from the play and Eric Liddell's life.

We're planning to bring the play to Paris for the 2024 Olympics, 100 years after Liddell broke that world record. Check www.RichDrama.com/#Schedule as August 2024 approaches.

Articles about the live performances
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"

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.
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 internment 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
CATS on Broadway

I just wanted to let you know that my wife and I had an opportunity to watch your one-man show of Beyond the Chariots. What an incredible performance!!!  Thank you for sharing this with us – 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... 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 a list of books by and about Eric Liddell visit www.EricLiddell.org/about-eric-liddell.

For more comments about Rich's work click here.

If you've seen Beyond the Chariots, feel free to leave a comment below...


For licensing of group screenings or to book a live performance of Beyond the Chariots click here.

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