Dan Logan was a gifted young man with a likeable and warm character. Family was an important factor in his life. He had a unique and humorous bond with his 'mam' Anne. The future looked great for the 22-year-old. Then one morning, Dan felt nauseous. Seventeen days later he died...
Live Forever tells the emotional story of an incredible young man. Dramatist Phil Pearson discussed his moving new play with the Salford Star...
What inspired you to write the play?
"It's based on a book by Dan Logan's mother Anne Logan Huxtable called 17 Days. It's her account of the terrible thing that happened to her and her son and the unimaginable ordeal they went through because of the extremely aggressive cancer he had. I was really moved by the book, I read it three times, and just had to write about it.
"Apart from the tragedy and how suddenly it all happened, the thing that also really struck me was how close they were. As well as being mother and son, they were also best friends. That really shone through and I wanted to write about that relationship. I asked Anne's permission and she said 'Yes' and has been very supportive of the play...it's a celebration of Dan's life. There's plenty of heart-warming moments and plenty of humour in it. I wanted to show how he was, a fun-loving lad, who enjoyed a pint and laugh with the lads. There's also plenty of music from the time and there's a lot of feel-good moments in there."
Do you have a favourite moment in the script?
"The actors, Deborah Sekibo, Joe Walsh and Harry Moore are, in my opinion, among the best in Manchester. The range of emotions they are able to convey is astounding and extremely moving. Also the director Sophie Ellicott has added so many more layers and dimensions to the script. She is a real talent....My favourite moment? There's a scene where the rugby lads have a bit of a wild night. The way they portray that is proper funny."
What's next for you and the play?
"Live Forever premieres in Barrow-in-Furness on 12th March at the rugby club where Dan played. Then it moves to Salford Arts Theatre on 27th March. I have been approached by a promoter in Preston, who is interested in taking it on tour so we'll see what happens.
"As for myself, as well as Live Forever, my previous full-length play Blackpool, What A Sh!t Place To Die, is back in rehearsals with top director Nick Bagnall (The Everyman, The Globe). I'm also speaking with Salford Arts Theatre about developing a short play called I Want to Marry Johnny Marr. It was performed at Salford Arts as part of Shelagh Delaney Week last year. I really like that theatre and the people who run it; it's a real asset to the community, especially the youngsters. I'm also working on making a short film of a play of mine called Gently Drifting starring the brilliant Lottie Jones, which was staged in Manchester last year."
Live Forever details the passing of an exceptional young man and celebrates his life...
Live Forever By Phil Pearson
Friday 27th March 7:30pm
Salford Arts Theatre
Tickets £8/ £10 – to book and for more information click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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