'everything you wanted to know about men but were afraid to ask!'. 'If "Mum's the Word" was all about women, then "For Better, For Worse" is all about men'.

This is a play about Des Wilson, an ordinary bloke. His family is grown up and gone and he is in a stable, if rusty, relationship with his wife Barbara. Then Des is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite the controversy about how to treat the disease, he opts for surgery, which, though successful, leaves him impotent. In the process, Des and Barbara actually come closer than ever and the disparate family is also re-united.

So, a tragic subject is treated positively and with comedy, the best way to deal with matters which might otherwise confront and intimidate an audience.

Although the problem faced by the central character is prostate cancer, the play looks at all aspects of men's health, especially their relationships, intimacy and the difficulty they face talking about such problems. It also examines the impact of cancer on the whole family.

The play is usually followed by an Information Session in which questions arising from the play are answered by a local GP and/or urologist, promoting ongoing communication after the play has left the region.

PERFORMANCE OPTIONS:

A. Play
A comedy about men's health - 'everything you wanted to know about men but were afraid to ask'.
Duration 80 minutes
Minimalist production, suitable for most venues
Six actors, two stage crew
Suitable for both sexes and teenagers ("Dad's health is a family matter")

B. Play and Information Session
Following the play an Information Session with GP and/or urologist to answer questions from audience (optional accompaniment to the play).

C. Video
Adaptation of the play for video, for sale or distribution by Health Bodies, Rotary Clubs etc.

D. Video and Information Session
In venues unable to stage the play, the video can be shown, followed by the Information Session as in B. Alternatively, a shorter version (35 minutes) with three actors is available, suitable for conferences or corporate events.

For more information, please email productions@bsp.net.au

Created by: Simon Bolch (sbolch@dingoblue.net.au)

Maintainer: Fincina Hopgood (fhopgood@ormond.unimelb.edu.au)