Cicely and David

Extract from a one act play

David Tasma is dying from cancer in post-war London, estranged from home and family. A brief, intense relationship with his social worker, Cicely Saunders, sparks an idea that changes the face of modern end of life care.

This play, written by Cicely Saunders’ biographer David Clark and produced by one her former colleagues, Jo Hockley, is coming to the Edinburgh Fringe in August. In this final session of the conference we are given a tantalizing glimpse into the first scene, set in the garden of St Christopher’s Hospice, in 2005, during the last few months of Dame Cicely’s life. Her chance conversation there with a recently bereaved husband, sets the stage for the action that will follow and which will tell the story of a Polish migrant who thought his whole life had been wasted, but who was to leave such a powerful legacy to the field of hospice and palliative care.

There will be time at the end of the conference to discuss the play over a drink in the Great Hall. Here are the actors who will perform the short opening scene, from Cicely and David:-

Serena Park plays the part of Cicely at the end of her life. Serena comes from South Africa and has wide acting experience and holds a Teaching Diploma in Speech and Drama, from Trinity College London. She has just completed her BA (Hons) Acting & Performance at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

Michael Johnson plays the part of Paul, who meets Cicely in hospice garden. Michael comes from Scotland and has a Diploma in Physical Theatre practice and has just completed a BA (Hons) Acting & Performance at Queen Margaret University.