Edinburgh review: Tumble Tuck (Underbelly)

"I’m too jiggly to be here" says Daisy, the protagonist in Sarah Milton’s new play, as she clutches her thigh. She’s been asked by the popular girl to be in the swimming team and compete for a medal. But unlike the other immaculate, swan-like swimmers, Daisy doesn’t do it for the glory: she swims for her. And she isn’t entirely certain that the sacrifices you have to make to be a winner are worth it.

Milton’s Daisy is going through a lot. Quite apart from her swimming conundrum – does she, doesn’t she join the team? – Daisy’s ex is in prison, her best friend has started writing to him, her mum is a suffocating presence in her life and there’s never anything to eat in the house except cheese and Kit Kats.

Milton has a really lovely turn of phrase and litters the play with subtle references to the outside pressures on Daisy – her mum, for example, is constantly comparing her to huge things. But swimming is the balm to her chaotic, borderline unhappy life. When she’s in the water she focuses – on her body, on her movement – and everything else shuts out. Tumble Tuck is a portrait of a young woman facing the usual pressures of teenage life and then some. But though we feel that at any moment she might fall over the edge, Daisy brings it back because she decides to do something for herself. It’s not a happy ending, exactly, but it is a little triumph, of sorts.

It’s not the most unique show – Milton plays all the characters, smoothly segueing into each one – and they are a little stock. But it’s beautifully woven with dialogue that feels real. The movement scenes, where Milton swims and her arms swoop and swoosh through the air, are a poetic demonstration of how Daisy and swimming really work together.

At under an hour, it’s short for even a Fringe show, but you’ll come out wanting to forget all your worries by searching out the nearest pool.

Tumble Tuck runs at the Underbelly Cowgate until 27 August at 13.30.

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