Damien by Aldyth Morris
Performed by Daniel Finlay
Directed by Janette Eddisford
Damien is a powerful solo play telling the story of Father Damien de Veuster, the Belgian priest who chose to live and work among the people exiled to the leprosy settlement of Kalaupapa on the Hawaiian island of Molokai.
Daniel Finlay has performed the role over a number of years, including appearances at Brighton Fringe and venues and events in Brighton, Lewes and London. The production has received five-star reviews and a FringeReview Must See recommendation.
Running time: approximately 75 minutes
Performers: one
Format: solo theatre production
Touring: adaptable to theatres, studios and other suitable performance spaces
Available for Performances & Bookings
Damien is available for theatres, festivals, universities and other suitable venues and events.
The production is compact and adaptable. Technical requirements can be adjusted according to the venue, and a full technical rider can be supplied for prospective performances.
There are currently no public performances scheduled.
Programming or booking enquiries:
dan@actbrighton.org
The Play
Father Damien arrived on Molokai in 1873 to serve a community of people who had been forcibly separated from their families and sent to live in isolation because they had contracted leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease.
He remained there for the rest of his life, building homes, organising the community, caring for the sick and challenging the authorities responsible for conditions on the island.
Damien himself eventually contracted the disease and died on 15 April 1889, aged 49.
His work made him internationally famous during his lifetime, but his story was not without controversy. He could be difficult, uncompromising and openly critical of authority, and his reputation became the subject of both fierce criticism and passionate defence.
He was canonised as Saint Damien of Molokai in 2009 and remains an enduring figure associated with compassion, social isolation and the care of people pushed to the margins of society.
A Personal Connection
Daniel's connection with the play is a particularly personal one. His godfather, the actor Terence Knapp, first created the role of Damien in Aldyth Morris's play in Hawaii in 1976.
Watch Damien
A short promotional film featuring an extract from Damien, performed by Daniel Finlay.
Daniel Finlay on Damien
Daniel talks about the play, Father Damien and performing the role.
Watch an earlier Damien promo on YouTube
Reviews
★★★★★ The Latest — 2023
“The pure essence of great theatre, great direction and sublime acting.”
FringeReview — Must See Show
“An outstanding piece of theatre that radiates quality from the moment you step into the room.”
★★★★★ FringeGuru — 2016
“A masterful solo performance… Daniel Finlay's tour-de-force performance spans the full range of human emotion.”
Selected Performance History
Damien has been performed at Brighton Fringe and at a range of theatre, festival, university and specialist events.
Brighton Fringe
Multiple performances, including 2016 and 2019.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Multiple performances, including 2019 and 2024.
Birkbeck, University of London
Arts Week 2019.
Lewes Festival of Solo Theatre
Lewes.
Production Photographs
Production photographs by David Myers — David Myers Photography
Damien Booking Enquiries
For theatres, festivals, universities and organisations interested in presenting Damien, please contact Daniel Finlay .
