Actors rehearse in swimming pool before play debut

The cast of Swim, Aunty, Swim! have been practising their swimming techniques

Actors have been dipping into a swimming pool to rehearse for a new play that follows the lives of West African women.

Swim, Aunty, Swim! celebrates migration and friendship while aiming to show audiences that it is never too later to get into the water, Coventry's Belgrade Theatre said.

Playwright Siana Bangura described the production as a show that featured women who learn to swim literally, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

"I hope this work serves as a celebration of ageing," she added. "Too often in our societies, women especially are made to feel ashamed of growing older."

Siana Bangura said the swimming pool was crucial to help the actors understand the movement of water

The play is centred around Coventry, a city that Ms Bangura has lived in since 2012.

"I hope all those who come and see the show feel pride in our city and feel encouraged to get to know their neighbour in a city as rich in cultural diversity as this," she said.

The writer, who has worked on the play for six years, hopes it will encourage audiences to laugh as well as reflect.

Actresses took part in swimming lessons for the upcoming play

"It's really important that we come and get a glimpse into the lives of pockets of our neighbours' cultures," Ms Bangura said.

She added that using the swimming pool was crucial to help the cast understand the movement of water before replicating it on stage.

The play will premiere at The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry on Monday and run until 1 June.