This short documentary, produced by Danny Sturrock, shows the journey of the play from the page to the stage and beyond, through interviews with Dan’s parents, Tim and Fiona, playwright Mark Wheeller, and members of the Oasis Youth Theatre cast, along with extracts of the original OYT production in 2016. Don’t miss Mark Wheeller’s beautifully-written play and Octopus Dream’s acclaimed production, touring to theatres for the first time, following highly successful tours to secondary schools across the country.

While I Love You, Mum is ostensibly seen as a Theatrein-Education (TIE) play, Mark Wheeller describes it as first and foremost ‘verbatim’.

This powerful and emotionally-charged play, tells the true story of what happened to Dan, the choices he made and the impact on his family and friends – all told in their own words, from tragedy to redemption. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. The play was commissioned in 2014, just four months after his death, by the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, the drug education charity set up by his parents.

Upon leaving the Theatre I messaged my children to tell them I loved them, although it fell on deaf ears! We’re delighted that from September 2022 the play will be one of seven set texts on the Eduqas GCSE drama syllabus, alongside Shakespeare, JB Priestly, Malorie Blackman and Benjamin Zephaniah. Conversations after seeing a play like this let the audience into the decision making process, problem solving and understanding the consequences.I hadn’t realised how much scope for creativity there was with a play taken completely from other people’s words. I remember crying as I related it to my wife – not because it was sad, but because it was brimful of love.