Race to be Seen by Mark Wheeller (paperback)

Revised and expanded 2021 edition

A Resource Pack by Mark Wheeller and Tracy Dorrington is available here. 

‘Graham Salmon is the most inspiring athlete I have met; I say this without a moments hesitation even though I have enjoyed the rare privilege of sharing the company of Muhammad Ali, Stanley Matthews, Gary Sobers, Martina Navratilova, Nadia Comaneci, Arnold Palmer and countless others in the course of my job.’ – Robert Philip, Daily Telegraph.

Race To Be Seen tells the story of how an award-winning play came to be written about the amazing World Champion Blind Athlete Graham Salmon MBE, who tragically died in 1999.

It charts his parents’ story when, as a baby, Graham had to have both eyes removed due to an incurable eye cancer. It follows his schooldays and how he was expelled for running a book as well as his trials in trying to secure a job and finally, his incredible sporting success!

Graham went on to play golf for the international visually impaired team. He hit the headlines again for hitting a hole in one.  His final battle was against cancer. Graham surrendered first his leg and then his life…but never became downcast…he wanted his autobiography to be called Wide Eyed And Legless!

Duration: 70 minutes

Cast: 6 (3m 3f with doubling). 

Can be performed with a cast of up to around 30.
(10m, 8f & 12 m or f)

Reviews
‘A remarkable play … a story of great courage and dedication; It is also entertaining and good Theatre, with plenty of scope for imaginative direction.’ Amateur Stage Book Review (of the original Race To Be Seen)

‘Snappily written episodes … a moving, eminently performable show. Get this book if you are looking for something of real substance.’ H. Wright, National Association of Drama Teachers Broadsheet (of the original Race To Be Seen)

Winner of two English Drama Festival awards. Pick of the Fringe twice in EdFringe.