i love you mum i promise i wont die

Question 1

What type of theatre is ‘I Love You Mum - I Promise I Won’t Die’?

Answer 1

It is a verbatim play, a type of documentary theatre.

Question 2

What is the purpose of verbatim theatre?

Answer 2

To break down complex issues and promote change.

Question 3

Who is the play ‘I Love You Mum - I Promise I Won’t Die’ a tribute to?

Answer 3

Daniel Spargo-Mabbs.

Question 4

What event inspired the creation of the play?

Answer 4

Daniel Spargo-Mabbs died after taking MDMA on a night out with friends.

Question 5

What important message does the play aim to raise awareness about?

Answer 5

The dangers of party drugs.

Question 6

How many times has the play been performed?

Answer 6

More than 500 times.

Question 7

What charity is associated with the play’s performances?

Answer 7

The DSM charity.

Question 8

What type of educational piece is ‘I Love You Mum - I Promise I Won’t Die’ considered?

Answer 8

It is a theatre in education (TIE) piece.

Question 9

What does verbatim theatre have the potential to expose us to?

Answer 9

Truths that we might otherwise have overlooked.

Question 10

True or False: The play is based on fictional characters.

Answer 10

False.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The choice of a verbatim play makes the message more _______.

Answer 11

hard-hitting.

Question 12

What is a key characteristic of verbatim plays?

Answer 12

They are constructed from the words of real people responding to a particular theme or event.

Question 13

How many acts and sections are there in the play?

Answer 13

2 acts and 10 sections

Question 14

Why does Wheeller split the action into different acts?

Answer 14

To accommodate the availability of the young people and family for interviews

Question 15

What is the purpose of Act 2?

Answer 15

Creates an intimate and tender atmosphere, allowing the audience to connect empathetically through direct address

Question 16

What drama techniques are utilized due to the structure?

Answer 16

A non-linear structure, revealing Dan’s story piece by piece

Question 17

What does Wheeller mean by describing the two acts as ‘two plays’?

Answer 17

Both acts require a different approach by actors and designers to create distinct atmospheres

Question 18

How is the first act divided?

Answer 18

Into four sections focusing on the story from friends’ perspectives

Question 19

How is the second act divided?

Answer 19

Into six sections charting the family’s journey

Question 20

What is the effect of the non-linear structure of the play?

Answer 20

Keeps the audience engaged while reflecting the experiences of friends and family

Question 21

What techniques are highlighted in the first act?

Answer 21

Flashbacks, ensemble movement, speech (unison), split-role, mime, and stylised movement

Question 22

What creates a more intimate atmosphere in Act 2?

Answer 22

Mark is not present, allowing for direct address from the family

Question 23

What staging challenges does the play present?

Answer 23

Lacks a distinct setting, requiring a multi-purpose set for actors to move easily between settings

Question 24

What key phrase describes the overall structure of the play?

Answer 24

Flashbacks, ensemble movement, speech (mison), split-role, mime, stylised, choreographed movement

Question 25

What challenges does a designer face in this play?

Answer 25

Creating a multi-purpose set to facilitate movement between various settings and times

Question 26

What is the purpose of Act 1?

Answer 26

To push the verbatim process through Mark's questioning, creating an atmosphere of flashbacks

Question 27

What can be said about the pacing of Act 1?

Answer 27

It can be quicker paced as it involves friends reliving the rave

Question 28

Why does Wheeler split the action up into different acts?

Answer 28

The availability of the young people at the rave vs his girlfriend and his family were on separate dates for interviews shows Dans social life vs his home life

Question 29

what key phrase would you use to describe the overall structure of the play? And what meaning does it create?

Answer 29

A non-linear structure, revealing dance story piece by piece, engaging the audience yet also reflecting his friends and family experience.

Question 30

what drama techniques are used as a result of the structure?

Answer 30

Flashbacks, ensemble movement, speech in unison, split, mime, stylised choreographed movement

Question 31

describe the purpose of act one and how you might communicate this as a director/actor/designer.

Answer 31

The verbatim process is pushed by marks questioning creating an atmosphere of flashbacks, key events and experiences.. A split stage could be used to convey this as act one would generally be quick since it is the friends reliving the rave.

Question 32

What challenges does a designer face in this piece? How might they overcome them?

Answer 32

The piece does not have a distinct setting so a multipurpose that allows actors to easily move between sets and times

Question 33

how would you answer: how does Mark Wheeller use the opening section to show that the play is more than just journalism and engage the audience?

Answer 33

Explain the IMPACT of two stylistic choices/dramatic techniques

Question 34

how does Mark Wheeller use the opening section to show that the play is more than just journalism and engage the audience?

Answer 34

split role, flashbacks, projections, chorus, direct address