←Recommendations of The Swallows

Kevin King's "The Swallows" is a remarkable work with authentic and captivating dialogue between two intricately crafted characters. The world constructed by King immerses the audience in a sensory-rich experience, thanks to the meticulous attention given to sound and visual layers. Listening to the production by Eclectic Full Contact Theatre truly transports listeners into the lives of Shawna and Kellie Lynn.

Director David Lipschutz deserves recognition for skillfully managing the pacing of the play. What sets "The Swallows" apart is its refreshing naturalness and honesty, with a subtle undercurrent of humor -BRAVO!

In THE SWALLOWS, Kevin King has created this smart, well-crafted, and at moments very funny two-hander with complex and detailed characters. I had the pleasure of directing a production as an audio play with Eclectic Full Contact Theatre. The dialogue is natural and honest (and, as a result, made my job directing and the actors' jobs performing quite easy!). A true slice of life play. Give this one a read (or a listen!).

This is a wonderful play by Kevin King, I can clearly see it being played out by his two complex characters on a hot summer night. The trapped lives of Shawna and Kellie Lynn, being so contrasted by the freedom of the swallows they discuss is profound, or certainly is how I read it. I like to be drawn into the reality of a situation and I certainly felt myself there in the trailer park with them. Give this a read, it's great!

BEAUTIFUL portrait of two complex characters from an overlooked demographic. Like Shawna, we spend much of the time viewing these people as bats -appreciated for their function but reviled for their look, their history- only to learn through King's patient storytelling that they were swallows all along -charming, with a voice of their own. Excellent rhythms help us feel a deep sense of intimacy with these characters.

Shawna and Kellie Lynn -- two poor, rural American women -- mostly know what their lives are all about. They also know there's no escape, as even the slightest hopes for something interesting or exceptional are taken away from them with brutal truth. And that's when the mediocrity of nice people -- not good, not caring, just nice -- arrives and does nothing to help.

I had the opportunity to see a reading of this wonderful play at the 38th Annual William Inge Festival.
Without ridicule, exaggeration, and stereotype, King presents on page and for stage an intimate, honest look at Southern trailer life for two white women, slowing time it seems, allowing each to be fully human and imperfect before our eyes.
Highly recommended.

King has painted a gorgeously stark and vivid picture of two women - two authentic, interesting women - in a way that humanizes those who are so often dehumanized.

A very lovely, seemingly quiet play that actually sings out, with quite a loud voice, once it hits you. Two great roles for older female actors.

A really wonderful play. King has a brilliant ear for dialogue, and Shawna and Kellie Lynn jump off the page. This is such a strongly written show--great naturalistic dialogue, wonderful humor, a poignancy to it that isn't often showed on stage. There are a lot of really heavy things in this piece, but they are treated realistically and simply. A fantastic slice of life. These two people featured in this play are so much more beautiful than they know. I'm excited to read more of King's work.

This is a wonderful play that harks back to the lyric realism of Lanford Wilson and James McLure: two women sharing a place on the porch and watching the evening sky. The question -- are those bats or swallows? -- leads to a look into their lives and their needs without mockery or condescension. Kevin King has given us a moment to contemplate and appreciate.