Missing Dan Nolan by Mark Wheeller (paperback)

New edition with bonus features.

Missing Dan Nolan is the approved set text for the OCR GCSE 9-1 Drama exam. It is popular among teachers due to its clear structure, documentary style and relevance. It is often used as a live theatre evaluation piece or as a practitioner study (Verbatim Theatre) within GCSE Drama practical and written components, particularly under Edexcel, AQA, where students can choose their live theatre example.

Synopsis:

Missing Dan Nolan tells the tragic true story of Dan Nolan, a teenage boy who went missing on the 1st January 2002 after a night out fishing with his best friends. It explores the mystery of Dan’s disappearance and the tragic events that occurred that night; raising issues concerning personal safety and the importance of looking out for each other.

A verbatim play, it uses only the words of his family, friends and the Detective Superintendent in charge of the police investigation. This revised 2020 edition of the play includes a new foreword reflecting on the original production by Mark, a new interview with the original cast and a new note on the original lighting design by Danny Sturrock.

Duration: 

60 minutes approximately

Cast: 

Up to 18, or 2 female, 2 male with doubling

The Nolan Family:
Pauline (Mum)
Greg (Dad)
Clare (Younger Sister)
Dan

Friends:
Joe
Thom
Sarah

Additional characters:
DS Stewart
George (another friend)
Liam
Max
Lorna
Police Liaison Officer
Ensemble

Exploring the Text: Missing Dan Nolan provides opportunities for discussion around the subject matter, text, style of playwrighting and performance style. 

Thinking Contextually:
Physicalisation and the use of music: the play gives opportunities to physicalise the script and use music to reflect emotion.
Monologues: a variety of narration, naturalistic dialogue, duologues and use of chorus provide various performance styles for all actors. 

Design: the play requires a minimal, multi-location set.

Additional Learning Resources for Teachers:

• OCR CSE (9-1) Missing Dan Nolan Teacher Guide DRAMA – free download
• DVD – Two productions of Missing Dan Nolan (one large cast, one small cast) and interview with playwright Mark Wheeller – £19.99
• YouTube – insight from playwright Mark Wheeller about Missing Dan Nolan
• Drama & Theatre Missing Dan Nolan  Teacher’s Guide

Reviews:

‘Heart-rending, bold, direct and simple. Even on the bare page this is a powerful piece of drama… campaigning theatre at its most powerful.’
Paul Fowler, GoDA 2003

‘This play is not just about Dan Nolan, it’s about all of us and our responsibility
to and for each other.’
David Dykes, Head of Creative and Performing Arts, King Edward VI School, Southampton (Dan’s former school)

2016 production of Missing Dan Nolan directed by Tim Ford.