I Love You, Mum - I Promise I Won't Die
14 - 18+ Years
RUNNING TIME OF 75 MINUTES (A 45 MINUTE PLAY & A 30 MINUTE INTERACTIVE DRUG EDUCATION WORKSHOP)
FOR UP TO 200 STUDENTS (per performance, up to three performances a day)
In Jan 2020 Wizard Theatre produced the 4th professional tour of ILYM, after COVID the 5th, 6th and 7th tour took place from 2022- 2024. Touring for 8 weeks around London, Kent and Oxfordshire, this year is our 5th year and the 8th professional production of this version of Mark Wheeller’s I LOVE YOU, MUM - I PROMISE I WON’T DIE
The Story of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, a bright and popular sixteen year old boy from south London who died in January 2014, from ecstasy. The play is written by award-winning playwright Mark Wheeller, one of the UK's most performed writers, who specialises in powerful verbatim theatre. ILYM is published by Methuen (Bloomsbury).
This project is a collaboration between Wizard and the DSM foundation, a drug education charity working with young people, parents, teachers and professionals across the UK.
Students will learn that there's always a choice and that the risks associated with drug use are incredibly high. Through this powerful verbatim performance they witness the joyful life and tragic death of Dan Spargo-Mabbs, and see how devastating the loss of a young life is for the family, friends and the wider community.
2024 marked the tenth anniversary of Dan’s death and the setting up of the foundation in his name.
Producing high-quality theatre-in-education that engages staff and students is of paramount importance – this mission drives us forward. The cherry on the cake is that when we do such a great job, we receive multiple reviews testifying to that statement.
Every project delivers a different experience to those involved so it rewarding to hear first-hand what our audience took away with them. For some, our projects can be reflective and thought-provoking, for others they can install confidence and ignite passion. Please take a moment to read some reviews from past and present Wizard Theatre clients.
Brilliant production. Original and powerful.
Charles Darwin School, Biggin Hill
The content, performance and organisation had the right balance of empathy and education – which is rare. It was awesome.
City of Westminster College, Paddington
Fantastic performance from the group and excellent workshop with real depth and educating questions throughout. It is such an amazing factual piece that just makes you stop and listen.
Darrickwood School, Orpington,Kent
“Excellent feedback afterwards from the pupils and staff. Throughout the performances the students were attentive and engaged because the play ‘captured’ them.”
Graveney School, Tooting
