Learning ‘The art of swimming,’ in one act

“The Art of Swimming” is a play about Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel, and the challenges she faced to be recognized for her achievement in a time when female athletes were a rarity. Written by Scotland-based playwright Lynda Radley, it’s currently receiving its American premiere in Philadelphia by Tiny Dynamite.

Just like Gleitze’s solo feat, actress Lee Minora is also solo on stage, taking the audience inside the thoughts that fill the swimmer’s head as the hours and endless strokes go by.

Accompanied by cellist Daniel Ison, Minora stopped by WHYY to perform a sample. To hear the conversation, listen to the audio above .

“The Art of Swimming” runs through Sunday at The Headhouse Café. It’s part of the seventh season of Tiny Dynamite’s signature series, A Play, a Pie and a Pint. The series re-creates the British tradition of pub theater, where patrons attend a one-act performance in a casual setting, complete with a beer and a slice of pizza or pie.