What People Are Saying

Blessed and Inspired

2008-10-25T08:14:00.003-04:00

Thanks for the wonderful contributions you made to our Worship Arts Retreat last weekend at Camp Wonderland. Everyone was blessed and inspired by your performance, instruction, and humble spirit. I hope our paths will cross again in the future - hopefully when we can attract a bigger audience to witness your consecrated skills.

--William Himes

US Central Territorial Music and Gospel Arts Secretary

The Salvation Army

Committed

2008-10-10T14:59:00.001-04:00

As an actor, Rich is very sensitive to the text and intentions of the role and is very committed to involving every aspect of his body and mental process towards building the character. As a writer, he knows exactly what he wants to get across and tends to find the most efficient and effective way of doing that, while also being open to making revisions, seeing what works and what doesn't work.

--Brandon Langeland

Portland, OR

What a treat

2008-03-01T09:28:00.001-05:00

I want to let you know how VERY MUCH we enjoyed your Eric Liddell show. What a treat for us!
--Christy An Bennett
Adjunct professor of History of Christianity
Alliance Theological Seminary
Inspiration for starting work on Beyond the Chariots

Second time

2008-02-26T17:53:00.002-05:00

I was so moved by your performance on Saturday. It was great to see it a second time through, and I was so moved by your portrayal, particularly in one of the final scenes where Eric is talking with Mai Ker... It was a privilege and honor to have witnessed it again! Thank you!
--Claude Chew
Hartsdale, NY

More than a performance

2008-02-13T15:05:00.000-05:00

You gave us much more than an exceptional performance. You gave us your heart and a love for people everywhere. What a talent you possess. What a blessing you are.
--Jill Morris
Community Relations Director
Greater Atlanta Christian School

Oscar award-winning quote

2008-01-19T06:40:00.001-05:00

"Original"... "Touching"... "Well-staged".

These words best describe In All Circumstances and Feast of the Tabernacles, two very different presentations which successfully combine faith and theatre -- a rare feat!

—Robert M. Fresco

Academy Award-winning filmmaker for Chechoslovakia 1968

You livened it up

2007-12-13T09:45:00.001-05:00

You made my weekend. You livened it up.

--Gina Atkinson

Birmingham, England

after seeing Jonah and Harvey Silverstein

Heroic

2007-12-11T14:03:00.001-05:00

"(Beyond the Chariots) was heroic and noble."
--Sam Witherington
Birmingham, England

If I could paint a picture...

2007-12-11T14:02:00.001-05:00

I couldn't believe that a single man could project such a large picture.
--Hazel Brookes
Birmingham, England
After a performance of Beyond the Chariots

Short attention span

2007-10-31T15:39:00.001-04:00

I can't sit through an entire movie. I have an extremely short attention span, but this play (Beyond the Chariots, http://BeyondtheChariots) really held my interest.
--Stacy V. Fields
White Plains, NY

Convinced

2007-10-20T13:58:00.001-04:00

You convinced me every time you changed character.
--Dalores Wenzler
Milwaukee, WI
after seeing The Acts (http://RichDrama.com/Acts)

After Five Bells for 9/11

2007-10-16T18:36:00.001-04:00

My husband and I were encouraged and filled with hope at the end of the evening.
Pam Hill
Pittsburgh, PA

Another anonymous post

2007-10-10T12:57:00.001-04:00

I was at the presentation of "5 Bells for 9/11" at the South Hills
Church of the Nazarene in Bethel Park, PA. This performance was awe-inspiring and very moving. I wondered how the families of those who perished would feel, reliving these moments. My question was answered when Mrs. Ann van Hine spoke at the end of the program. She is evidence of God's healing power. I would encourage anyone who has not seen this to do so. I am thankful that Rich Swingle and Ann van Hine are using the gifts God has given them in this powerful way. May He bless them abundantly for their obedience.

an anonymous comment posted to RichDrama.com/NewsBlog

2007-09-13T09:17:00.001-04:00

I was at the play on Tuesday, the 6th anniversary of 9/11. I couldn't even talk about it afterward because I was still "contemplating" it all. I was not as "teary-eyed" as I thought I would be, but I was deeply affected by the stories of hope. It was an amazing performance by Rich as he switched characters so quickly and did a phenomenal job. God was glorified as the stories unfolded and hope arose from the rubble. How I would love to see this again. But I feel so privileged to have been there and to have heard Ann van Hine and her testimony. It brings me to tears now as it is still so fresh in my mind, but they are tears of joy that God does not leave us in our misery, but that he provides hope in the midst of it all!! Thank you, Rich and Ann. You are truly messengers of the one true God.

An Olympic Performance

2007-08-24T14:06:00.000-04:00

Rich Swingle marvelously intertwines history, culture, and religion through a host of characters with the main character's persona (Eric Liddell) exhibiting a cruciform way of life; true to life that even his still living daughters (i.e. Patricia, Heather and Maureen) would gladly attest to as they lost a father while others lost more than an Olympic hero for Swingle reminds us that Liddell was a man of humility and faith for the sake of others, the Chinese.
--John White

Definitely Worth Seeing

2007-08-21T14:08:00.000-04:00

Rich Swingle is amazing in his capacity to communicate, involve and enthrall in his presentation of the life of Eric Liddell. The story has been diligently researched and brilliantly put together as a one-man play of diverse characters from a variety of ethnicities. It is exciting, dynamic, touching ... and true! Regardless of what else you may see in Edinburgh, see this!
--John Langlois
Australia

Powerful Play with a Personal Message

2007-08-20T14:14:00.000-04:00

While the genre of one-man plays still needs to be explored by the general public at large, Rich Swingle's Beyond the Chariots does it more than justice by presenting not only an outstanding script and oustanding acting talents; it leaves you nourished and inspired with the story of this incredible Scotsman who truly traded the world for the work of serving his God. In viewing this play as an Off-Broadway production in New York City, I was struck by the technical difficulty of the assembling of this play into a cohesive and accessible plotline given the wide range of races, ages and backgrounds of the characters portrayed, yet Swingle pulls it off without a glitch, down to his excellent vocal control after running an imaginary (and very real) sprint during one of Liddell's running sequences in the play! But all that aside, one is touched by this moving portrayal of a humble and down to earth man who would willingly turn down the opportunity to run in the 1924 Olympics to remain faithful to his God because the race was on a Sunday. Such humility, committment and integrity is so rare today and Swingle portrays this beautifully! Liddell was a man who was willing to give up the world for following the Christ, that is Jesus. But in short, an excellent play! Exceptionally well crafted on so many levels!
--Claude Chew

Pasted onto a poster outside our theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe

2007-08-20T05:04:00.001-04:00

Fantastic, believable performance, delivered with energy and emotion--Thank you!
*****

*****

2007-08-19T16:31:00.001-04:00

This is a FAB show! It was fascinating to see the rest of the life of Eric Liddell, of "Chariots of Fire" fame; knowing it is a true story adds thought-provoking significance. Plus, as someone who has lived in Asia for four years, I am VERY impressed with the actor's grasp of Chinese language AND culture as he plays multiple roles! This is a show not to be missed--I saw it in the States first and would gladly see it again!

--Loch Winona, United States

from London

2007-08-18T17:33:00.001-04:00

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

From a Dane in Oklahoma

2007-07-28T18:49:00.001-04:00

About "Beyond the Chariots": "You made my year!"
--Colonel Vibeke Krommenhoek
International Youth Ministries Coordinator
Salvation Army

Beyond the Chariots: A Great Experience

2007-06-12T20:39:00.000-04:00

I've never enjoyed anything so much in my life!
-- Maryann Andonian, Vancouver, WA

A breath of fresh air

2007-05-06T17:09:00.001-04:00

(Your performance) was like opening a window and getting a breath of fresh air.
--Marge Kendall
mother-in-law of the late Mike Yaconelli

Five Bells for 9/11 on fifth anniversary

2006-09-18T11:52:00.000-04:00

Many people commented on how helpful the service was to them and the excellent job you did. Three quarters of those in attendance were NOT from Grace so God has allowed us to truly reach out to the community.

--Karen Denaro
Minister of Worship
Grace Community Baptist Church
Washingtonville, NY

more powerful

2006-09-13T12:49:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful job you did last evening. You have changed "Five Bells" from the previous times I have seen it and it was even more powerful and more honoring to God.

--Ann Van Hine

Her late husband, Bruce Van Hine, is one of the characters in Rich's play Five Bells for 9/11