DSM Foundation Celebrates 1,000th Performance of Play About Daniel Spargo-Mabbs
London, UK – The DSM Foundation is proud to announce the 1,000th performance of the play “I Love You, Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die”, which tells the story of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, for whom the drug education charity is named. This milestone marks the impact that the play has had on hundreds of thousands of young people since its commissioning in 2014.
The play, commissioned shortly after Dan’s tragic death from an accidental overdose of ecstasy, bears the title of the last words the 16-year-old said to his mother Fiona before leaving home for the very last time. Award-winning playwright Mark Wheeller, known for tackling tough subjects affecting young people, interviewed Dan’s family and friends to create a verbatim play that not only tells the story of what happened on that fateful weekend, but also gives a sense of the young man who lost his life and the impact his death continues to have on those who knew and loved him.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, DSM Foundation Director, Founder, and Dan’s mother, said, “Commissioning Mark Wheeller to write a play about our precious son Dan was one of the very first things we did as a drug education charity in the early months after he died. We wanted to do all we could as his mom and dad to make sure other young people were able to keep themselves safer than Dan had. Sharing his story with its important messages through this creative and engaging approach has been a lasting legacy of a life full of joy and hope, that ended in needless tragedy. Nine years on from its premier with Mark Wheeller’s youth theatre company, Oasis Youth Theatre, we’re just in awe that this story has now been performed one thousand times, to hundreds of thousands of young people – as well as being studied as a GCSE drama set text, and in drama lessons around the world.”
The touring version of the play, which includes virtual and school productions, as well as those put on by theatre companies, has been seen by over 125,000 young people. The DSM Foundation commissions Theatre in Education companies to perform the play and deliver an accompanying workshop in education settings. Tie It Up completed a tour in Scotland in autumn 2024, Ever Unique Productions undertook the first-ever schools tour of Northern Ireland this spring, and Wizard Theatre is currently performing in London academic institutions. Since its inception, the DSM Foundation has commissioned over 700 live performances, with the play being seen by thousands of young people.
Maya Briggs, Pastoral Coordinator at Queensmead School in Hillingdon, North London, where Dan traveled to for what turned out to be his final journey, said, “We have had the DSMF come in to deliver the play for a number of years now and will continue to do so in the future. The play has a clear and strong message which is important for the youth in today’s society. The children always thoroughly enjoy the play and speak about it long afterwards showing the impact it has had. Today was brilliant as always.”
Feedback from school staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the play’s impact and importance in educating young people about the dangers of drugs. Leon Hamilton, Artistic Director of Wizard Theatre, which put on the 1,000th performance, said, “It is a great honor to tell Dan’s story, and these last 7 years have been incredible. Watching the impact on the young people, teachers, and indeed actors is amazing. Producing a true story has its challenges, of course, but the sense of understanding the audience come away with is hugely satisfying, genuinely humbling, and never ceases to hit home how important this message is.”
David Chafer, Producer of Tie It Up Theatre, which has toured the play extensively in England and Scotland since 2022, agreed, stating, “Our production has been watched by thousands of young people, and we see firsthand the incredible impact the play has on them, their parents, and staff. It is a privilege to tell Dan’s story, and we know that this powerful drama helps to save the lives of young people.”
Playwright Mark Wheeller commented, “It was such an honor to develop this play from Dan’s tragic story. I remain grateful to the energy of the DSMF team who continue to ensure extensive coverage for the play. To reach this milestone of 1,000 performances in such a short time is a testament to their work and the power of “I Love You Mum”. I want to offer sincere thanks to OYT, StopWatch, Wizard, and Tie it Up for their performances, all of which fully realized the potency of the verbatim text. The ongoing commitment and proactive support of Dan’s loving family have been invaluable. “I Love You Mum” is an incredibly special part of my Whe