Father's Touch: The Play...

by morrisamb 12 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

  • morrisamb
    morrisamb

    I know this is an ambitious project but I've already got an amazing team (from director-set designer, etc., and someone to sponsor our opening night party food!)

    We will not be shying away from the Elder's role.

    here's the first press on the project: St. Thomas Times Journal

    Friday, January 2, 2004
    People appears Monday and Friday in this space.
    Eric Bunnell's "People"

    D'Haene popping up everywhere
    He?s here; he?s there.
    Could DONALD D?HAENE be more everywhere?
    After surviving with his siblings an east Elgin childhood of sex abuse at the hand of their father, Donald wrote his remarkable book, Father?s Touch. (Currently on amazon.com, the memoir is ranked five stars by readers.)
    Donald?s story also became part of Family Secrets, a W NETWORK series. The episode, When Nobody?s Looking, now is slated to air in spring.
    A short film based on Chapter One of Donald?s book was named one of the Top 50 submissions to actor Kevin Spacey?s independent film Web site.
    The film is tentatively slated for a February screening in London.
    And now, Father?s Touch is destined for another telling ... this time, as a play to be co-written with London playwright JASON RIP.
    ?I thought it?s a perfect drama,? Donald says.
    ?It?s a local story, told by a local author. And it should be told ... I think there?s a place in Canadian theatre for it.?
    He?s hoping to workshop the script in summer, for full production in fall.
    Directing is busy Louise Fagan, who also brought a new musical based on Don Wright?s London Life Second World War troop show to life a few years back.
    * * *

  • Lady Lee
    Lady Lee

    awesome

  • DevonMcBride
    DevonMcBride

    Sounds great!

  • Valis
    Valis

    Rock on Donald! Nice to hear from you BTW. So glad you are doing well and keeping up the good fight. Yet another star in your crown! Take care and break a leg!

    Sincerely,

    District Overbeer

  • Big Tex
    Big Tex

    This is great news Donald! I am so excited for you.

    The film is tentatively slated for a February screening in London.

    Did I miss this? Hokey smokes, I'm sorry I wasn't aware. The one problem with me working daytime hours now is I miss more threads than I used to. I hate that. When I worked at night, I endless time to read nearly every thread on this board, and now I've missed keeping up with you.

    Donald, I am so happy for your success with this. I'm curious though, and forgive me for asking, but do you see this as a three act play? That was my first reaction when I read this. Certainly your struggle with resolving the JW philosphy with the reality of being an abuse survivor, and then the subsequent trial would be a fantastic third act. Really, if done well and with proper acting, the play could be very powerful, making a statement on several levels, i.e. abuse, spirituality, as well as the triumph of the human spirit.

    Be well,

    Chris

  • jst2laws
    jst2laws

    Donald,

    PLEASE, keep us informed as to when these things air, and what stations if any we can see them in the US.

    And congratulations for the success in all your hard work.

    Steve

  • morrisamb
    morrisamb

    Thank u one and all! I will definitely post the exact air date for the W network documentary show when the network posts it and/or I hear from the film maker.

    And Big Tex, the attention span of an audience in a theatre is way different than reading a book--3 acts can be a long haul, but I do take your point.

    The challenge is taking such a big story and picking out the important parts. Definitely the play will be exploring the many levels of Father's Touch. Most people assume the title only refers to sexual abuse but the title has many meanings: literal - the physical and sexual; but it's also pyschological, and a way of living, the world according to 'Father'; and then there is the spiritual level of the title.

    It's a big project but it will be exciting. I already have the best set designer and director in our area on board and we all have connections with the cream of the local acting community - so it will be a special project...wish you all could attend! But my hopes are for the play to picked up by North American Theatre companies to include in their future seasons!

  • frenchbabyface
    frenchbabyface

    Best wishes for your project !!!

  • morrisamb
    morrisamb

    Thanks for the best wishes, Fresh Baby face!

  • Satans little helper
    Satans little helper

    The film will be screened in London next month? Let us know where and when

    Good luck

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