BEST FRIENDS
WRITER AND DIRECTOR by Paul Anthony Morris, Crying in the Wilderness Artistic Director ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Angela Ekaette Michaels
#Joy #TheatreoftheSoul
#AssistedDying #Friendship
A LIVE SHOWCASE READING LOCATION Park Theatre DATE 17 October TIME 2pm PRICE Free
A live Q&A with the artists and audience will follow the performance.
BALANCING HUMOUR WITH SENSITIVITY, BEST FRIENDS is a heart felt humorous drama about friendship in the context of assisted dying .
Featuring award-winning UK, US, Canadian and Chinese artists, our theatrical showcase combines a live stage reading performance with dance, music, lighting and sound design to centre the audience in the artistry of the play’s final developmental process.
SYNOPSIS
BEST FRIENDS is an emotional drama which explores the relationship between two lifelong friends. With time running out on our protagonists, Martin and Tyrone must come up with a plan to either salvage their friendship or allow it to die in guilt and regret.
Martin, who has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, has employed the Death with Dignity Act to mitigate the extent of his suffering and to determine the exact date, place and time of his death. However, Martin's plans for a smooth and quiet transition starts to fall apart when unresolved tensions starts to re-emerge between them.
CAST
Anthony Ofoegbu - Martin
Jude Akuwudike - Tyrone
Johnnie Fiori - Pam
Alexander Mcmorran - Francis
Victoria Williams - Maj
Derek Ezenagu - Leo
David K.S. Tse - Philip
Nahemma Shafau - Jane
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
“Although there are many projects around about assisted dying, this is way out
the best that I have read. The relationship between Martin and Tyrone is deep
and incredibly moving, as is the nuts and bolts of the sacred life facility.
Almost against my will I feel grabbed by the script, it is powerful and
persuasive.”
“I loved the way you showed us our rituals. We have to get back to our rituals. Our men are never shown in this light.”
“Best Friends is a play rarely seen in theatres. Love and kindness shine through, and it makes the audience members pay attention to the universal nature of both the relationship and what they are experiencing. ”
“Tyrone and Jason’s chemistry was immediate, and the narrative phrases of tensions and comedy ebbed and flowed and felt measured and natural as they lived out the story.”
“I was really intrigued by how well you merged Kemetic philosophy with Chinese
Buddhism.”
“Congratulations on the play. It was very moving and well-observed with lovely
veins of humour and culture. Wishing you the best for the production.
”
