Theatrical reenactment of a 1936 London protest, with five actors in black clothing and red armbands, standing in front of a screen displaying a crowd scene and text indicating the event's location and date.

Draining the Swamp by D.R. Hill

A new play looking at Oswald Mosley, British fascism, and 2024’s rise of the far-right

DRH Arts Ltd / OSO Arts Centre / Oxford Playhouse

Directed by David Furlong

“An incisive exploration of the rise of fascism.” ★★★★★ Counter Culture UK 

“A first class piece of historical theatre.” ★★★★ One4review

A Reminder of the dangers of fascism

Two men sit at a wooden table with a television studio background projected behind them, displaying text about Rediffusion Television Studio on November 15, 1967. The man on the left wears a brown suit, and the man on the right wears a dark red velvet jacket with a bow tie.
A woman in a green dress stands in front of a projected background, with a man holding a pink flower behind her

Draining the Swamp is a provocative and challenging new play that explores and challenges our approach to extremism. A warning with a chilling contemporary punch.  

The play unveils the story of Oswald Mosley, the man who founded the British Union of Fascists, despite being considered the most capable politician of the 1920s. A Prime Minister in waiting who is now known for his street violence and antisemitism. Discover through Draining the Swamp the personalities of Oswald Mosley and his Lady, Diana Mosley, who were both loved and loathed in their lifetime. What drove this man to make these decisions? How do we manage politicians like Mosley in today’s world?

Rowland D. Hill, playing Oswald Mosley, said, “Over the last few years there has been an increasing return to nationalistic politics and to popular support for extremist politicians, who appear to place little store on democracy. This piece, focusing on Mosley, the personality, is intended both as a warning, and to raise questions about the appropriate way for liberalism to challenge the brick wall mentality of populist movements.”

What lessons are there for today when nationalism is once more on the rise across the Western world, and politicians like Trump and many more worldwide are able to attack democracy and stir up violent protest? Draining the Swamp explores these issues and challenges our approach to extremism. It raises questions and warnings with a chilling contemporary punch.

Five actors on stage with a projected black-and-white photo of people in the background. The actors are dressed in dark, period-appropriate clothing, some wearing hats and red armbands. One man is putting his fist in the air

Creative Team

Directed by David Furlong

Video design by Jeffrey Choy

Assistant Production Managed by Catherine de Lima  

With Rowland Hill, Ciara Pouncett, David Boyle, Claudia Whitby-Tillott, and Chris Keyna

A woman wearing a green satin dress standing on a black stage, facing a man wearing a red velvet jacket
A woman wearing a black coat, black hat, and a red armband, standing against a black background.
Two actors on stage with a sign reading "Holloway Prison 24 December 1941" in the background. One man looks at a woman who is wrapped in a large coat, gazing at him.
Two men are engaged in a dramatic scene on stage, with a backdrop showing a brick room with windows, a British flag, and text indicating the setting at Mosley's Private Gym, Savehay Farm, Denham, on September 20, 1936. One man appears to be angry or shouting, while the other listens intently, wearing a red armband.
Two men dressed in early 20th-century formal attire, with the man on the left wearing a top hat and the man on the right wearing a bow tie. Text overlay shows 'Houses of Parliament 6 October 1931'.
A woman in a peach-colored top and a man in a black shirt are onstage with the woman gently touching the chair while the man leans on it with a concerned expression. Behind them, a backdrop displays a photo of a large, old building