One of the first things Dan’s family did after he died was commission a play about what happened to him, in a true testament to Dan’s love of drama. “I Love You Mum, I Promise I Won’t Die” by Mark Wheeller – the title comes from the final words Dan said before he left home for the last time – never ceases to captivate its audience, who get swept away by the words of Dan’s family and friends as they tell their and Dan’s story.
Last year saw the DSM Foundation fund a fourth professional tour of the play in schools, colleges and community settings. Wizard Theatre picked up the baton handed on by StopWatch Theatre Company who developed the Theatre in Education production, performing the play and then holding interactive workshops to reinforce and embed its core messages. Despite the tour being abruptly cut short by the first coronavirus lockdown, almost 12,000 students already experienced the play and workshop, and feedback had been in line with previous years: the Head of Drama at Haverstock School in North London summed it up perfectly commenting on the “excellent engagement… students [were] raving about it afterwards”.
Why does #iloveyoumumplay have such an impact? Because it is powerful and moving in equal measure; far more than just a recounting of a night out and the exploration of themes of choice, risk and reward, but also bringing with it overriding messages of love, loss and hope.
To find out about how the play can come to your setting – a film has been made, so once Covid-19 restrictions allow, this plus the interactive workshop delivered by one of our drugs educators is the current plan – contact amanda@dsmfoundation.org.uk
