Mass Appeal
Mass Appeal [1] is a play Bill C. Davis ()[2].
Contents
The original text
Father Tim Farley, a lover of the good things in life, is comfortably ensconced as priest of a prosperous Catholic congregation. Without realizing it, he has resorted to flattering his parishioners and entertaining them with sermons that skirt any disturbing issues, in order to protect his Mercedes, his trips abroad and the generous supply of fine wines that grace his table (and his desk drawer). His well-ordered world is disrupted by the arrival of Mark Dolson.
The play premiered in New York at the Manhatten Theater Club in 1980.
Translations and adaptations
Adapted for screen by the playwright and released in 1984.
Performance history in South Africa
1982: First performance at the State Theatre Pretoria 7 October 1982, first performance at the Alhambra Theatre Johannesburg 21 October 1982 directed by Stephen Hollis for Pieter Toerien. Designed by David Moore, lighting by Jannie Swanepoel. Cast: Rex Garner (Father Tim Farley), Eckard Rabe (Mark Dolson).
1983: Performed at the Baxter Theatre and the Sneddon Theatre in 1983.
2011: An updated and revised version of the play by the playwright opened at the Montecasino Theatre at the end of January, starring Graham Hopkins and Clyde Berning, directed by Alan Swerdlow.
Sources
Mass Appeal theatre programme, 1982-3.
The Star, 18 January 2011.
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