Our 2020 Theatre in Education London tour of Mark Wheeller’s play about Dan, ‘I Love You, Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die’, was sadly cut short by just over two weeks as the UK went into rapid lock down under Covid-19. However, Wizard Theatre managed to fit in 73 of the planned 95 performances in London schools, colleges and community venues before they had to shut down, maintaining the strong reputation established by StopWatch Theatre over the previous three years, and having a huge impact on audiences young and old alike.
And we also managed – just – to fit in the 300th performance of this touring production before it had to close, a significant milestone in its short three year journey.
In just two months it reached over 10,000 young people, as well as parents and others at two public community performances. 88% of students said they knew more about the risks of drugs following performances and workshops, and 89% said they had learned more about the impact of drug use on others. Students reported that the main messages of the play and workshop for them were the risks of drugs, that our choices have consequences and that it could happen to anyone. What had the biggest impact was the fact it was a true story, and that every word of this verbatim play was one that had actually been spoken by someone in Dan’s story.
“I found the performance very moving and it made me understand how dangerous drugs are and reaffirm my decision to stay away from drugs in life.”
“A very moving play that tugged at my heartstrings and something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
We were so pleased to be able to continue to offer performances at heavily subsidised rates, and free where needed, thanks to grant funding from various sources. This year this included Arts Council England, as well as Garfield Weston, London Borough of Merton and the Wisley Foundation. We’re hugely grateful for their support, which enables us to reach students in schools where budgets are too tight to come close to covering the cost each performance is to us. The cost is worth every penny, however, for the impact it has and the difference it makes.
