The Problem With Fathers
Tom Casling
Genre: Drama
Cast size: 10
Duration: Two Act
Tom Casling | Drama | Full-length | 4m, 5f, 1m/f
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
This play is about the changing or shifting attitudes in the church and the differing outlook and approaches of two priests. It considers what motivated both priests to join the priesthood and deals with relationships and parish gossip fuelled by misinformation.
Mary Devlin’s character is key to the play and in a strange way links all the other characters. Mary is often the voice of reason; the broker, the peacemaker between the other characters.
What do you do with a young priest who takes his priesthood literally, who heals the sick, who makes people well again? And who is Lesley, a friend of Fr Peters who turns up mysteriously and what is so important that she needs to discuss it immediately.
The play also considers different perceptions of priesthood and why miracles seem to be something of the past. Fr Dan has an even greater question… If this young curate can help heal people and make them well again, should he share his own dilemma and ask for help, something he is not accustomed to doing. Dan realises however that speculation about his own health has become the subject of Parish gossip. Is this just rumour or is this a ploy by the Bishop to remove him and replace him with a younger curate?
The play is essentially a comedy but includes some poignant moments and the final scene often moves the audience to tears. It deals with relationships, with the priesthood, and with service to the local community, whilst also looking at family ties and the bonds that unite people.
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