Goggles on and guitar in hand, Liam (Andrew Finnigan) tells us not to expect too much. His best friend Caz has planned a synchronised swimming routine for their school project, but Liam doesn’t know how to swim. In this heartwarming one-man musical comedy, he recounts his spluttering journey towards being able to doggy paddle in the year 11 assembly. With the audience crinkling in waterproof ponchos, Drip illuminates the value in trying, even when the result is a bit underwhelming.
Tom Wells’s writing finds beauty in the ordinary, and embraces the slight letdown of each day. While Caz is aiming for first prize, Liam’s focus is split between trainee lifeguard Josh and trying not to swallow half the pool’s water. Finnigan is endearing, his small smiles and raised eyebrows gently communicating the disappointment of being 15, but his performance is never pushed and the pace sometimes lags. Matthew Robins’ suitably wonky songs beg for more variety.
Developed with young people in Hull, the play speaks to the kids who don’t get invited to the cool parties, the ones for whom seeing gay characters without a bully in tow is a rarity. In its understated awkwardness, Drip finds moments to glow.
Even in everyday, boring life, everyday, boring things can seem catastrophic to those experiencing them. But when things go wrong for Liam, there’s little sense of jeopardy. Spider-Man looks on from Liam’s bedroom, but Wells doesn’t search for superpowers. He simply nods to the poetry in each of us.
•At Roundabout @ Summerhall, Edinburgh, until 26 August.
